Thailand�s first-ever conference on wastewater privatization, held August 18-19, was organized by Mr. Kitti Kumpeera, USAEP�s Environmental Infrastructure Advisor in Thailand. Arranged in cooperation with the Wastewater Management Authority of Thailand with support from the Kenan Institute Asia, the conference showcased U.S. wastewater expertise and provided a serious forum for discussion of the obstacles to successful wastewater treatment privatization in Thailand.

The two-day seminar featured a series of panel discussions and workshops to help key Thai decision-makers move towards effective wastewater privatization. Sessions were held on authority responsibilities and operational plans of the Wastewater Management Authority, policies and strategies for water/wastewater management in Thailand, budgeting for environmental quality management, wastewater management operations of local government, wastewater treatment in industrial estate areas, private sector participation in wastewater management, and the wastewater privatization experience worldwide, as well as wastewater privatization lessons learned from Southeast Asia and public participation in privatization project development.

The importance of the issue of privatization was conveyed by the seniority of the 170 participants, including provincial governors, mayors, department directors, bankers, and senior managers from the private sector. Mr. Yingphan Manasikarn, Thailand�s Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, set the tone for the event in his opening remarks. He noted, "The economic crisis means the government simply does not have the money for all the needed wastewater treatment. The Wastewater Management Authority will have to make the adjustments needed to keep the projects from stalling." Mr. Suppachai Pisitvanich, Permanent Secretary of Thailand�s Ministry of Finance, reported that the government�s master plan for privatization is ready for presentation to the Cabinet. However, he emphasized that successful implementation of the plan will require support from conference participants.

Additional speakers at the event included senior officials from Thailand�s Waste Management Authority, Pollution Control Department, Office of Environment Policy and Planning, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Ministry of Interior, and Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand. Representing the private sector were companies such as Metcalf & Eddy International, The Ellington Group, Inc., Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., and Binnie Black and Veatch.

As noted in the August 10 edition of UPDATE, factory output in Indonesia has declined by approximately 18 percent over the last several months. However, pollution intensity for organic waste in industrial effluents has increased by 15 percent in the same time period. These findings are explored in an article authored by Shakeb Afsah of The Policy Group at US-AEP. Afsah used plant-level data on physical output and water pollution for the years 1995 to 1997 to analyze the impact of the current Asian financial crisis on Indonesia's production trends and environmental performance. His findings contradict assumptions that low, or even negative, economic growth will reduce industrial pollution. To the contrary, Afsah found that pollution may increase because industrial facilities adjust their abatement effort in response to higher pollution control costs and reduced regulatory monitoring and enforcement. The author�s empirical results suggest that during the financial crisis, factories have increasingly dumped their waste without treatment. For full text of the article, "Impact of Financial Crisis on Industrial Growth and Environmental Performance in Indonesia," see the World Bank�s website at: http://www.worldbank.org/nipr/work_paper/shakeb/index.htm.

In May, UPDATE reported on a US-AEP NGO-Business Environmental Partnership grant to the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP). Over the last several months, HRAP used grant funds to hold several events, including four regional workshops in Davao City, Cebu City, Bacolod City, and the National Capital Region. These workshops were conducted to encourage the use of the HRAP�s Environmental Management Manual for Restaurant Operators (EMMRO). Participants�mostly managers of hotels and restaurants, as well as tourism officials�were enthusiastic about the sessions, which were led by industry professionals, and management and environmental experts from both private and government sectors. Attendees explored efficient use of water and energy, waste minimization, air quality, and environment certification systems, as well as the Department of Environment and Natural Resource's Environmental Impact Assessment Manual for tourism projects. To provide real-life examples, waste reduction assessments were conducted in the hotels and restaurant kitchens where the workshops were held. Look for results from these activities in a future edition of UPDATE.

Former US-AEP Infrastructure Director Peter Gourlay announces additions to "PlanetAEC," a website for architects, engineers, and contractors. The site features news and resources for U.S. businesses who seek business in Asia. For example, it provides market entry strategies, including a step-by-step continuum of contacts, information and services. Additional features of interest to U.S. firms include market assessments of several Asian countries and international business news. Visit the site at http://www.planetaec.com.