Despite the deceleration in the spread of COVID-19, the enduring public health crisis caused by water shortages continues to affect individuals globally. Public health experts have pointed out that COVID-19 had impacted around 500 million people worldwide by 2022, whereas over 800 million people are presently facing the risk of global water scarcity. Immediate action is necessary to tackle this pressing issue. The United Nations' SDG 6, focused on Clean Water and Sanitation, aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Due to increasing global attention on water resources in recent years, the global market research from Market Research Future (MRFR) shows that the water purifier market has experienced rapid growth with a compound annual growth rate of 17.58% between 2022 and 2030, and is expected to reach a market size of US$175.54 billion by 2030, in which, the Asia-Pacific market accounts for over 45%. The demand for clean water not only drives the growth of the water purifier market, but also contributes to the prosperity of packaged water and functional water sectors.

In Taiwan, annual water purifier sales have surpassed NT$50 million with a yearly growth rate of 20% to 30%, contributing to an overall market size exceeding NT$180 billion. Furthermore, statistics indicate that the overall output value of Taiwan's packaged water market is expected to increase by 5% this year, reaching NT$17 billion. Additionally, functional water alone is expected to contribute over NT$6 billion, accounting for more than 50% of the overall market. As the demand for clean water continues to rise, businesses involved in water filtration, functional water, and related equipment are poised to thrive and prosper.

TIWW 2023, organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council, TAITRA, is scheduled from September 20 to 22 and caters to the thriving global water purification market. Industry heavyweights including the Functional Water Association of Taiwan and global enterprises from Australia, Canada, the US, France, and more, will come together to showcase the latest advancements of products and technologies during the exhibition.

This issue of TIWW e-newsletter focuses on water purification and drinking water, including an interview of PRO UNI-D, the professional supplier of advanced electric actuator, and introductions of 5 exhibitors under "Functional Water Association of Taiwan Pavilion" and "Water Purification Equipment & Drinking Water Exhibit Area" Functional Water Association of Taiwan Pavilion at TIWW 2023.

• Functional Water Association of Taiwan: The association actively promotes the "Water Taiwan" certificate and fosters international academic research on functional water, aiming to enhance human health and environmental protection.
• NSF International: The company is dedicated to enhancing public health and safety, and provides professional and customized testing services to ensure that customers meet international trade standards and requirements.

• Johnson Screens: Being the leading global provider of screening and auxiliary solutions, the company offers a wide variety of products for water wells, environmental applications, and the energy sector, and is highly praised by users around the world.
• Easywell Water Systems: As a professional supplier of household water purifiers, Easywell offers a range of products that are NSF, CE, and ISO-9001/ISO14001 certified, and have been exported to 54 countries worldwide.
• Aurora Water Technology: The company offers state-of-the-art ultraviolet (UV) water disinfection technology that is extensively utilized in various sectors including drinking water, hospitals, aquariums, food and beverage, and cosmetics.