Korea has significantly narrowed the gap with advanced countries in water-related technologies under a government initiative to nurture growth, officials said Wednesday.

For the past decade, the level of Korea’s technological capabilities in related fields have risen to about 80 percent that of advanced nations from 40 percent, according to the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs.

A total of 83 patents have been granted and further 210 patent applications have been filed, the ministry said. In addition, 46 technologies have been transferred to the private sector, raising 2.3 billion won.

The achievement was made under a government-led research and development program which was launched in 2001 to secure technologies related to water resource development.

The program has seen 126.4 billion won ($113 million) in investment, including contributions from the private sector until 2010.

The Land Ministry and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology opened an industry fair Wednesday to show off Korea’s latest water resource technologies.

The event at the COEX exhibition center in Seoul showcases the results of the R&D program.

In addition to speeches from experts from Korean and abroad, the event also has about 120 booths operated by state-run and private organizations displaying technologies and products including a remote-controlled boat for collecting data and a water treatment system that allows waste water to be used for irrigation.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)