So far, so close

Kazakhstan is committed to the forward-looking “green economy” principle that provides for phasing out the dependence between the use of resources and the environmental impact of economic growth. It was “green economy” that was the subject of the EcoTech and WaterTech annual exhibitions, which took place in Almaty on 19-21 September 2012.

The exhibitions comprised a two-day conference, Mechanisms of Cooperation for Transition to a Green Economy. From Strategy to Practice. The conference was organised by Iteca LLP and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC).

“In 1987, NAUE GmbH & Co. KG transformed geosynthetic water-proof barriers into a reliable environment protection technology. This became possible thanks to NAUE’s invention, needle-punched method of producing geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs). Further to providing water-proofers produced by our enterprise, we also offer engineering support. It was of interest for us to participate in EcoTech Conference, where the serious level of speakers could be perceived. We observed the interest expressed by Kazakhstan’s state entities, which reported on shaping the course of “Green Policy” to the participants. As regards EcoTech Exhibition, in which we have been participating since 2004, I note that the number of exhibitors and their interest rose in 2012,” said Yuri Schlee, NAUE’s CIS Sales Director.

“Green economy” is of inter-sector nature and will promote the integrated solution of many issues, such as greenhouse gas emissions, atmospheric air pollution, ecological disaster zones, specially protected natural sites, production and consumption waste, water resources, planting, etc.

“We will produce subsoil irrigation tubes. These products are made of recycled waste, i.e. rubber granules derived by crushing worn-out tires. Subsoil irrigation tubes constitute porous tube water supply tubes, which are laid in soil in situ and drain over their entire surface under slight water pressure, thus, thanks to the absorption properties of roots and capillarity of ground, water goes directly to the root zone. Our tubes save water substantially, reduce the risk of plants’ infection with fungous diseases, and provide protection against vandalism or theft. Our company participates for the second time and we are happy that people express interest in our products. We established contacts today, on the second exhibition day. Many thanks to the organisers of WaterTech Exhibition for inviting,” told Shynbolat Baikulov, Director of KazCaoutchouc.

“I believe this exhibition is among top three in the CIS. In my opinion, all companies of this sector ought to visit this event. I met my old partners and discussed new projects. We expect positive results from the exhibitions,” noted Yevgeniy Davletov, a representative of IRCO and a visitor of EcoTech & WaterTech 2012.

Over the course of 8 years, EcoTech Exhibition took the stable lead among environmentally-oriented events run in Central Asia and has become a traditional venue for meetings and business contacts among sector specialists. This year’s combined running of these two exhibitions, EcoTech and WaterTech Central Asia, allowed participating companies to choose a sector most suitable for them and visitors to "view" and attend the Water and Water Technologies Sector, which had always been present within EcoTech Exhibition but poorly "viewed". Last year, WaterTech СА Exhibition was held together with an agriculture exhibition, AgroWorld Central Asia 2011.

“MASAT is specialised in telemetry projects. At EcoTech 2012, we presented our WayNet Technological Platform, which provides multifunctional wireless network platform for solving relevant tasks within the national economy, based on data collection and transmission. It is a distinctive feature of WayNet that it provides analysis of the dynamics of moving objects in a real-time mode without use of satellites. We worked quite fruitfully at EcoTech, acquired potential clients and customers. The conference allowed us opportunities for cooperation with the Ministry of Environment Protection. I would like to extend thanks to the organisers of the exhibition, particularly to Olessya Somkina, for interactive communication. We are happy with our participation and will take part in the exhibitions in the future,” said Larissa Golubeva, Director of MASAT’s Environmental Projects Department.

The exhibitions were attended by 30 exhibiting companies from 8 countries of the world: Germany, Greece, Italy, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Russia, Spain, and Sweden. The total area of EcoTech and WaterTech CA Exhibitions was 540 sq. m. with a display area of 300 sq. m. Kazakhstan exhibitors accounted for 66% of the display and included: KEMEL NT LLP, MASAT B.V. LLP, ECOINSTRUMENT- ALMATY LLP, MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGIES C.A. LLP, EIKOS LLP, VODECOFILTER LLP, KST-WATER LLP, SU-OMIR ARNASY LLP, KAZCAOUTCHOUC LLP, KAZPLAS LLP, PROFAIR PROCESSING LTD, KAZTEPLOENERGOMONTAZH LLP, and other companies.

The exhibitions were held in parallel with MiningWorld Central Asia, Kazcomak, KazMet, and Transit Kazakhstan Exhibitions, substantially increasing the quantity and quality of visitors from allied industries. More than 2,800 specialists from all regions of Kazakhstan and neighbouring countries visited EcoTech и WaterTech during three days of their operation.

Effective as of 2013, WaterTech Central Asia is transformed into two exhibitions, AquaTherm Almaty and EcoTech, to be held on 3-6 September 2013 in Pavilion 11, Atakent Exhibition Centre, Almaty. The sections of WaterTech CA will be distributed between these two exhibitions as follows: sectors related to water conditioning and purification for residential sector and private households will be displayed at AquaTherm Almaty 2013, and sectors related to water conditioning and purification for industrial companies and major projects will be displayed at EcoTech 2013.