Statistics from the committee indicate that between 2000 and 2002, Shanghai will invest 47.4 billion yuan (US$5.71 billion) on this significant industry. Sales in environmental protection facilities and equipment are expected to reach 15 billion yuan (US$1.81 billion) this year and 40 billion yuan (US$4.82 billion) in 2005 with a yearly growth rate of 21.6 per cent.

Output, of the same, is expected to amount to 9 billion yuan (US$1.08 billion) in 2000 and 20 billion yuan (US$2.41 billion) in 2005 taking a 25 percent share of the domestic market.

“This industry has potential and has been growing fast, especially in recent years,” said Zhao Guotong, deputy chief engineer of the committee.

The city has now formed an environmental protection industrial system made-up of 630 domestic and foreign enterprises and nearly 100 research institutions.

Investment in environmental protection took up 2.8 per cent of Shanghai’s total gross domestic product in the period between 1995-2000, 1.8 points higher than the national figure. While most developed countries average only 2 per cent.

The Second International Resource and Environmental Protection Industry Expo, which closed this week, displayed the achievements the city has obtained in environmental protection.

Sixty-five enterprises displayed a range of techniques and products which attracted thousands of visitors.

The Singapore-funded P&G Environmental Engineering (Suzhou) Co, Ltd introduced its successful air pollution and waste water treatment systems.

The world-renowned Dutch Waste Solution BV, Japan-based Nippon Carburetor Co Ltd and Sun A (Australia) PTY Ltd gained great interest from the audience.

Shanghai Jiaotong University has developed a reliable LPG (liquid petroleum gas) transfer technique which enables cars to be fueled either with gasoline or LPG and yet keeps the volume of exhaust emissions within the European Standard II.

“In the coming five years, 500,000 motor vehicles will be changed to LPG engines,” Zhao said, “and the pollution discharged by these vehicles can be reduced by 90 percent.”

Zhao said several cooperation agreements were finalized during the exposition.

Shanghai’s dense population but scarce natural resources have pushed the city into restructuring its industries and protecting its environment to meet the increasing needs and demands of people living and working there.

“Key enterprises, products, techniques and projects require the constant support of favorable policies and capital,” said Zhao. "Luckily, the importance of many industries has now been publicly recognized.”

(China Daily)