The National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) organised the Economic Value of Water and Water Grid Seminar on 17 August 2026 at the NAHRIM Auditorium, Seri Kembangan, Selangor. The seminar served as a platform for knowledge and expertise sharing on the economic value of water resources and the development of the Water Grid towards strengthening national water resources management. The seminar also brought together 72 participants from ministries, government agencies, private agensies, local authorities and various stakeholders.
The opening and officiating session of the seminar was delivered by Ir. Dr. Ts. Gs. Safari Mat Desa, Deputy Director General of NAHRIM, performing the duties of the Director General.
Five main presentations were delivered by experts and representatives from various agencies. The presentation entitled “Implementation of AIR 2040 and ‘Smart Water Grid’” was delivered by Datuk Ir. Abdul Kadir bin Mohd Din, Chairman of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN). This was followed by “AIR 2040: Water as an Economic Sector (WES)”, presented by Professor Dr. Mahendhiran Sanggaran Nair, Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM).
The seminar also featured a presentation entitled “National Water Policy: Focus, Strategies and Implementation Initiatives towards the Transformation of National Water Management” by Puan Seetha Bhai A/P Kalimuthu from the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA). The presentation on “Alternative Water Financing” was delivered by Dr. Shahrul Azman bin Abd. Razak, Director of the Policy Unit, Policy and Strategic Planning Division, Public-Private Partnership Unit (UKAS), Prime Minister’s Department. The final presentation, entitled “Research on Water Economics and Water Value”, was delivered by Ts. Dr. Zati Binti Sharip from NAHRIM.
The seminar added value to NAHRIM through the sharing of knowledge, experience and expertise in the fields of Water Economics and Water Grid. At the same time, the seminar strengthened strategic collaboration among ministries, government agencies, academic and research institutions, and relevant stakeholders towards advancing more integrated, sustainable and resilient national water resources management.
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