Singapore's close ties with China provided strong foundation for opportunities in environmental and water sector, a senior government official said in Singapore on Thursday.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim, who made a working trip to China last week,said he was confident of the opportunities China offered in the environmental and water sector, in which Singapore has developed capabilities over the last 40 years and the government has identified as a key growth sector for the future.

"China offers vast opportunities in water treatment, water recycling and reuse." said Yaacob in a statement issued by the government, adding that Singapore's companies were interested to tap on this growing market.

He said that Singapore had built a vibrant and thriving water and environmental industry, his country would continue to encourage domestic companies to internationalize and venture into China and other emerging markets in India and the Middle East.

During his trip to China from Sept. 10 to 14, Yaacob and his delegation met up with business leaders of China's water and environmental sector, finding business opportunities available in water and wastewater treatment in China.

Source: Xinhua