Manufacturers: local water industry could be "the oil of 21st century"

Shraga Brosh, president of the Manufacturers Association of Israel (MAI) argued last week that “Israel’s water industry could become the oil of the 21st century. International agencies predicted last year that due to population growth, rising standard of living, and increased droughts driven by climate changes there will be a shortfall of 32% of the amount of fresh water needed within 15 years.
 
According to Brosh the Israeli water industry could reach export sales targets of $1 billion in 2007, $2 billion in 2010, and $10 billion in 2020. He predicted that adoption of the plan would boost employment, adding 15,000 jobs by 2010 and 110,000 by 2020.
 
Israel, according to Brosh, has a number of unique advantages, over other countries, in the water industry, including global success of irrigation equipment, a highly developed academic infrastructure, R&D programs and varied climates.
 
To achieve this export goal, the government should approve a Mekorot National Water Co. sponsored strategic plan to develop the national water industry. Brosh noted however that the proposed plan must be formulated in close cooperation with the business sector, and international agencies.
 
Brosh also noted that adopting the proposed water development plan, would rapidly expand Israel’s water industry by 17% a year, more than double the 7-8% annual growth rate of the global water industry.
 
He added that Israel’s water industry was currently growing by 5% a year.( Israel’s water market currently amounts to $800 million, 0.2% of the $360 billion global water market.)