Bangkok--Nov 4--BMA
Bangkok Governor Dr Bhichit Rattakul is appealing to the private sector to participate in a number of environmental clean-up and conservation projects which have been proposed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
Speaking at the seminar "Privatisation of Environmental Projects in Bangkok for the 21st Century", the Governor says the city has immense environmental problems and the public sector does not have the funds to deal with them.
"Bangkok is a city which has expanded rapidly in recent years, with industry and manufacturing growing, and millions of people having converged on the capital in search of work," he said.
"This unchecked expansion has led to tremendous environmental problems which the public services simply do not have the resources to deal with. Yet left unchecked, the situation will only become worse.
"This is why the BMA is now seeking the help of the private sector in a series of environmental projects to clean up Bangkok."
The seminar, attended by senior executives from companies throughout the environmental sector, was organised by Miller Freeman Thailand Co Ltd, who will also be staging Asia's biggest environmental technology show, Entech Pollutec Asia '99, from 5 to 9 May 1999 at BITEC.
"Being so closely associated with the environmental sector, we can see that despite the economic recession this is still a powerful market for suppliers of technology and services," said Mr M Gandi, Miller Freeman's executive director.
"We are very proud indeed to be working together with Governor Bhichit and the BMA, and helping to publicise projects which will provide business to specialist companies in addition to being for the well-being of the people of Bangkok."
The BMA is a legislative body under the supervision of the Ministry of the Interior, and has 55 members directly elected by Bangkok residents. The Governor is elected for a four-year term.
The BMA's revenue is derived from its own regular income from local taxes, fees, services and rentals, and from supplementary funds. The organisation runs a balanced budget each year, and also receives support funds for specified projects.
It is the policy of the present Governor to enhance the quality of life in Bangkok, and the BMA is working under the slogan "A pleasant city for living -- a healthy city".
The areas for which the BMA is currently seeking private sector involvement include solid waste treatment and disposal, and waste water treatment.
Currently the BMA is solely responsible for solid waste management in Bangkok, collecting and disposing of some 9,000 tons per day. This does not include construction waste.
The BMA will issue a limited number of permits for waste collection from commercial and high-rise buildings to the private sector, the companies concerned baring investment costs and collecting fees directly from end-users.
Waste water treatment is another area, and as the first stage the BMA will out-source the function and operation and management for the Sipraya and Rattanakosin plants.
"It is the responsibility of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to make Bangkok a clean, green and healthy city for the 21st century. We intend to do just that. With the help of the private sector," says Governor Bhichit.
For more information, please contact : Tel: 254-5152 End.