By Marinel Peroy
As the world’s leader in innovation and also known for providing sustainable water management, Israel has been at the forefront offering helpful water crisis solutions across the world.
Back in 1959, Israel started its drip irrigation which now has been at the forefront of minimizing usage and recycling through developments on low water-consuming crops and saline-water-based crops. This proves how Israel is continuously innovating against water scarcity through water management, advancements, and technology.
Moreover, Israel’s very own IDE Technologies is considered one of the world leaders in water treatment solutions. IDE Tech has even delivered hundreds of plants to over 40 countries — and is now building and operating desalination and water treatment plants in the US, Chile, Peru, along Asian nations like India and Taiwan.
Local water management and recycling in Phl
With the endeavor to continue the momentum, IDE is positive in expanding their project plans here in the Philippines through initial discussions with the private and government sectors for the creation of local water management.
During the media briefing on Wednesday, Feb. 14, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Ilan Fluss said that the visit of the Israeli company serves as a way to showcase “Israel’s expertise in water — and how we can share our best practices and our technologies and our experiences.”
Aside from offering smart agriculture, the envoy also noted that Israel was able to overcome their water shortage. With innovative ways of tapping into water solutions for countries, the Philippines may be able to do the same as such, highlighting the key priorities of having “agricultural productivity and food security of the country,” added Amb. Fluss.
Meanwhile, IDE CEO Alon Tavor mentioned that Israel is recycling 86% of its country’s domestic water. Tavor expressed a positive outlook on having a partnership project with several local partners in the Philippines, making it “relatively easy to explore.”
Speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS, Tavor explained that there is a specific solution needed for every territory. The approach of IDE in the Philippines will depend on the local rules and regulations, however, he emphasized that “as long as the local regulation and economic development [are enabled], then everything is on the table. It seems that your government is open to many approaches.”
Furthermore, Tavor shared that the target project will “involve creating a local entity of IDE with mostly local people as employees. So, it’s a place of work for engineers, for technicians, for all professions that [are] part of that industry. We see that as an important opening.”
He also described the Philippines as having “smart people, technological people, and very cooperative people” despite the potential hindrance factors.
“In some countries, the cultural differences might create a challenge to bring in new technologies. We don’t see that happening here — we see a very advanced and open technological and cultural society, which is very promising if you ask me,” stated Tavor.
With optimism about the project, more information about IDE Tech’s updates and developments will be rolled out in several months. “One of the things that I think Israeli companies are very good at is to form partnerships with local companies,” added Tavor..