State-run Korea Water Resources Corp., better known as K-water, will step up its penetration into the Asian water market by taking a leading role in the 1st Asia Water Council, which kicked off in Bali, Indonesia, for a three-day run Tuesday.

"The company’s CEO and executives will tap the business opportunities during the Council meeting, while promoting the firm’s water management know-how and technological prowess in the sector,’’ a K-water official said. 

Supported by the government-level Asia Water High-Level Round Table, or AWHoT, the Korean water business giant has contributed to the creation of the WRC, the first-of-its-kind regional meeting, where international organizations, governmental officials and businesses get together to discuss water-related business issues and how to solve related problems. About 80 organizational members from 30 countries are taking part in the 1st AWC, the K-water added.

The Council plans to select urgent “water projects’’ and develop a master plan for each project, including the financial funding method.

“The company has proposed five water projects in Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam,’’ the official said.

“During the 1st AWC, K-water will pitch its newly developed “smart water management initiative,’’ which utilizes the country’s advanced information and communications technology to manage water in the entire water cycle in a reliable and efficient manner to minimize water leakage.’’

The company unveiled its smart water management initiative at the 7th World Water Forum in Daegu, Korea, last year.

By Seo Jee-yeon (jyseo@heraldcorp.com)