German business delegation hold meetings with the Environment Department officials of Dubai Municipality.

The delegation representing two major German companies, Faun Group and Nehlsen AG, discussed the privatization of the waste collection in Dubai with Eng. Hassan Makki, Assistant Director of Environment Department and Head of Waste Services Section and other senior officials of the department.

The delegation included Peter Hoffmeyer, President of the German Association for Waste Management and also owner and President of Nehlsen AG, a large private waste management company in Germany, Dr. Johannes F Kirchhoff, owner and CEO of FAUN Group and Dr. Armin Vogel, Managing Director, International Sales, Marketing and Partnerships of FAUN.

The delegation discussed different aspects of modern waste management system, which is popular in Germany, in addition to waste treatment and recycling methods that are being adopted by European countries.

The delegation also deliberated on possible ways of co-operation with Dubai Municipality in the privatization process of waste management, helping in formulating new rules and regulations, fixing rates and fees for waste collection, waste management of new projects such as Palm island, new airport, harbour and free zones.

The German delegation stressed the need for educating the public more on modern waste management systems and pointed out that the German waste recycling methods are very much advanced.

Makki said companies in Dubai should be encouraged for changing their recycling methods as well as for using recycled materials.
He said the meeting will help the Environment Department in formulating its strategic plans. Makki hoped that the German companies understand the requirements of Dubai before submitting proposals for taking up the waste management services in the city.

"We want well known international companies to serve the city as our strategic partners as we want to diversify our fleet and expertise. We are looking for good suppliers, quality service and most importantly, excellent after-sales service," said Makki.

The Germans said Dubai needs good waste management mechanism to clear the waste as many big projects are coming up in the city, which is expanding at a rapid pace.

Makki said Dubai Municipality always goes for standardization of its services. "As Dubai is becoming the fastest growing city and a regional hub for tourism, cleanliness of the city is highly important. We don't want to loose our customers and at the same time, we want to cope with the development. Only way out is open up waste management services to privatization," he said.

However, Makki added that the service will be open for private sector only according to the civic body's set standards and specifications. "We have a tough job in hand as far as waste services are concerned. We find it extremely tough to deal with waste disposal as we have 120 nationalities residing in Dubai with diverse cultural backgrounds. A good level of public awareness should be created on waste disposal after sorting different types of waste," said Makki.

The German delegation invited Dubai Municipality officials for attending a workshop on German waste management system, to be held soon in Germany. The workshop will focus on total waste management including rules and regulations and fee structure for waste disposal. Dubai Municipality officials will be taken for site visits during the workshop to get a first hand knowledge about the system in place in Germany.
The Germans also invited Environment Department officials for an exhibition to be held in Germany in May this year.