SINGAPORE was abuzz last week as policymakers, utility providers and companies from the water sector gathered here for the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW).

More than $2.2 billion worth of deals were inked at the week-long event - six times the value of agreements worth ($367 million) clinched in the inaugural conference held last year.

Describing the figure as a 'pleasant suprise', SIWW managing director Mr Michael Toh said on Monday: 'We expected companies doing business this year to match last year's $367 million, but this has surpassed our expectation.'

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.