Gandhinagar, 22 March, 2012

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Gujarat Government’s joint sector enterprise Dahej SEZ Ltd and a consortium of Japanese-Singapore companies here today to build Asia’s biggest desalination plant near Dahej in south Gujarat, situated on the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).

The consortium, comprising Hitachi and ITOCHO of Japan and Hyflux of Singapore, will work as co-developers with Dahej Spring Desalination Private Limited set up to implement the project.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Japan’s Ambassador Mr. Akitaka Saiki, Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, Minister of State for Energy Mr. Saurabh Patel and Chief Secretary Mr. A.K. Joti.

Also present on the occasion were DMIC Development Company Chief Executive Officer Mr.Amitabh Kant and Government of Japan’s METI Deputy Director-General Mr. Goto, besides senior officers of the companies concerned.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Modi described the agreement as Gujarat Government’s landmark initiative for water management on World Water Day. He said the project would prove to be a boon for a water-deficit state like Gujarat in recycling sea water and in water conservation measures. The project would also be unique in the sense as it would be run on solar energy. He said the Gujarat Government would not like to use the water meant for drinking and irrigation for industries.

The Chief Minister said the Dahej SEZ is India’s largest Special Economic Zone and is recognized to be the world’s best free trade zone among the top 25. He thanked the Japanese Government and other companies for extending their cooperation in setting up a modern desalination plant in Gujarat.

Japan’s Ambassador Mr. Saiki and METI Deputy Director-General Mr. Goto were also in high praise of Gujarat Government’s dynamic leadership and progressive policies and described their cooperation with Gujarat Government in the implementation of development projects as effective.