German environmental technologies and Cuban engineering knowledge: Selection of a pilot project within the Environmental Protection Export Initiative.

The German Office for the Promotion of Trade and Investment in Cuba is implementing the project "German Environmental Technologies and Local Engineering Expertise for the Central America and Caribbean Region" as part of the Environmental Protection Export Initiative of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection. The focus of the project is on the application of German technologies in the field of environmental services or water management by qualified Cuban specialists. In this context, 26 project proposals were submitted by companies from the public and private sectors in Cuba.

The following criteria were decisive for the selection of the pilot project: the thematic relevance, the project maturity and number of beneficiaries, the sustainability aspect, the transferability to the region of Central America and the Caribbean, the own contribution to the project, the training opportunities on the German technology, the feasibility, as well as the degree of innovation.

The jury was composed of representatives of the German Embassy in Cuba, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment and the Delegation of the German Economy in Cuba.

Taking into account the above criteria, the project "Agua de calidad y segura en puntos de fácil acceso para la población" (Accessible high quality and safe water for the population) of the joint venture Acuanova S.A. was selected. The project provides for the installation of a German water treatment plant with a capacity of up to 300 liters of water per hour for the population. In one day, 7 cubic meters of safe, high-quality water can be treated. The plant will serve as a best practice example for the application of this technology in Cuba and the entire region of Central America and the Caribbean. The proposed concept will reduce the use of disposable bottles and thus contribute to environmental protection. The quality of the water to be produced will meet the strict standards set by international drinking water authorities. The project will train and certify up to six Cuban technicians per month on the technology, who can then be deployed to operate similar plants in the Central America and Caribbean region.