○ Gyeonggi Province establishes 3rd Five-Year Initiative for Water Management Technology Development and Water Industry Promotion
– Strategy focused on net-zero technology development and enhancing global competitiveness

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government will invest KRW 7.4 billion by 2029 to advance net-zero water management technologies. These efforts will include digitally operated water and sewage facilities, sewage treatment utilizing renewable energy, and other innovative approaches.

On January 2, the provincial government announced the establishment of the “3rd Five-Year Initiative for Water Management Technology Development and Water Industry Promotion (2025–2029),” which outlines details of the investment. This initiative aims to promote sustainable growth among local water companies under the vision of “Gyeonggi Province Water Companies as Net-Zero Leaders” and emphasizes heightened global competitiveness through the development of net-zero technologies and the expansion of international operations.

It encompasses four key strategies, including intensive support for net-zero technologies, support system upgrades, strategic assistance for overseas expansion, and strengthening water industry expertise and activating networks, as well as 15 unit projects. The total budget is estimated to be KRW 7.4 billion.

Under “Intensive Support for Net-Zero Technologies,” Gyeonggi Province will focus on the development and commercialization of advanced water technologies. These include digital water and sewage facility operations that enable remote measurement, monitoring, and control through smart technology; sewage treatment using renewable energy; low-energy seawater desalination; and water reuse systems to address climate challenges.

The “Support System Upgrades” strategy involves enhancing the role of the Gyeonggi Province Water Industry Support Center as a control tower for the relevant industry. Key measures include establishing an AI-based water information system and developing a cooperation model for local companies in Gyeonggi.

With “Strategic Assistance for Overseas Expansion,” Gyeonggi seeks to create opportunities tailored to each water company for global market pioneering. Planned projects include hosting training programs for international buyers, conducting overseas field research, and organizing export consultation events.

The final strategy, “Strengthening Water Industry Expertise and Activating Networks,” includes hosting the Gyeonggi Water Industry Development Forum, building sector-level cooperation frameworks, and supporting feasibility studies for official development assistance (ODA) projects overseas.

Pyo Myeong-gyu, Director of Gyeonggi Province’s Water Supply and Drainage Division, stated, “The third implementation plan serves as an explicit blueprint for advancing water management and nurturing the water industry in Gyeonggi. It will lay the foundation for the province’s water industry to be recognized in global markets beyond Korea… We will contribute to the improvement of water welfare and environment that can be felt by the people of the province.”

Gyeonggi Province will also draft annual action plans based on this initiative and strengthen cooperation with the private sector to effectively implement key projects.