Reform of the water industry in China and Korea

Reform of the water sector is up in the air both in China and Korea. There are public/private partnerships in both countries and increasing scope for more. Ian Byatt recently visited both countries to advise on the regulation of both water and wastewater and took part in a significant exchange of information and experience. In China he joined the UK water minister, Elliot Morley, in explaining the successes delivered by regulation in the UK. Ian made presentations to seminars in Beijing and Shanghai, which were attended by Chinese government officials, local water suppliers and national experts. In Korea, he also presented the UK situation to officials and suppliers. This led to many questions focussing on the practical lessons to be learned from experience in Scotland, where water remains in the public sector, as well as in England and Wales, where it is privatised. He also made speeches in Beijing and Seoul on the position of the regulator of water businesses.