As the Malaysian government announced the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) on July 31, 2025, sustainable water resource governance has been listed as a national development priority. Through the promotion of the “AIR 2040 Water Transformation Blueprint,” the local demand for smart water technologies and integrated system solutions has significantly increased. The blueprint focuses on reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW), expanding the use of reclaimed water, advancing smart water management systems, and strengthening public-private partnerships and technology innovation—demonstrating Malaysia’s strong commitment to efficient and sustainable water management.

To support Taiwanese companies in expanding into Southeast Asia’s water sector, the Green Product International Linkage Project, under the support of the International Trade Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, TITA, led the Taiwan Smart Water Ecosystem Delegation to Malaysia from September 8 to 12. The team visited major national water agencies such as the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), Indah Water Konsortium (IWK), PAAB, and Air Selangor, as well as local water treatment companies, including Techkem and Trident. Through in-depth discussions on wastewater treatment standards and cooperation needs, the mission connected with 11 Taiwanese companies, such as Utrust Technology and CTCI, aiming to promote bilateral collaboration in water engineering, wastewater discharge, and resource management—fostering industrial linkage and market expansion, and creating new overseas business opportunities for Taiwanese enterprises.

During the trip, the Taiwan delegation proposed cooperation projects to address Techkem Group’s needs for industrial wastewater treatment and water supply in rural areas, offering solutions such as sludge drying, clean water systems, and smart water management. These technologies will be introduced in stages to reduce costs and enhance water reuse efficiency while upgrading monitoring and equipment to comply with Malaysia’s sustainability regulations. For companies like IWK and Trident, cooperation with Taiwan will help integrate advanced technologies and equipment to enhance treatment performance, energy efficiency, and low-carbon operations.

Looking ahead, the outcomes of this mission will continue to connect Taiwanese water technology providers and smart water experts with Malaysian authorities and water enterprises to explore wastewater treatment and smart water cooperation models. The Taiwan team will customize integrated solutions based on industrial needs, supporting Malaysia in balancing industrial and public water development, aligning with international ESG and low-carbon trends, and establishing a new model of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.