13 U.S. companies visit Lima and Arequipa to survey water infrastructure opportunities after flooding
DENVER – (RealEstateRama) — The American Water Works Association (AWWA), headquartered in Denver, Colorado, U.S.A., and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service announced today that they are currently leading a delegation of 13 water companies to Peru May 21-24. The companies are visiting various water-related public facilities and sites in Lima and Arequipa to survey infrastructure and management opportunities and to introduce new technology to strengthen Peru’s water treatment and distribution infrastructure.
President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who took office in July 2016, has pledged to eliminate all bureaucratic obstacles to US$25 billion in delayed infrastructure investment, including 170 potable water and sewerage projects. He has also announced plans to install connections for water services for 100 percent of the population by 2023. Recent heavy rains, floods, and landslides in Peru have made the issue that much more pressing.
“In addition to infrastructure, there is still a need for technology and planning for future growth, water use and conservation,” said Ricardo Pelaez, Commercial Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Lima. He also said the government has announced new laws to promote public-private partnerships and make it even more attractive for U.S. companies to operate in Peru.
The delegation of water companies will meet with officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Housing, Construction, and Sanitation, ProInversión, and the Directorate for Reconstruction and Changes, among others, to discuss public-private partnership opportunities in the water and sanitation sector. The delegation will also meet with local Peruvian companies to explore business collaborations for long-term infrastructure needs in the water sector. Of interest are projects in wastewater treatment in rural and urban areas, increasing potable water supplies to 100 percent of the Peruvian population, and addressing the damage wrought by the recent natural disasters.
The mission will include U.S. Commercial Service-organized business-to-business meetings between the delegation and local Peruvian private sector contacts in Lima. Over 50 one-on-one meetings have been arranged.
The mission will end with a trip to Arequipa where the delegation will meet local businesspeople and public figures. A tour of Peruvian utility Sedapar is organized, as well as presentations by the U.S. companies to the local officials and private sector attendees. The Arequipa Chamber of Commerce is assisting the Commercial Service on this last stop.
“AWWA is proud to participate in this trade mission to help strengthen Peru’s water infrastructure especially after the devastating floods the country has endured,” said AWWA Chief Executive Officer David LaFrance.
The delegation is also supported by Duquesne University’s IMPACT program which helps small and medium sized U.S. companies participate in U.S. Commercial Service trade missions overseas.
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Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.
The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities and in more than 75 countries help U.S. companies get started in exporting or to increase sales to global markets. The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. U.S. Commercial Service trade professionals in over 100 U.S. cities and in more than 75 countries help U.S. companies get started in exporting or increase sales to global markets. Visit www.export.gov to learn more.
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