Crossover systems — defined as adopting innovations from other sectors to suit water operations — are expected to save time and lower maintenance costs for the state’s infrastructure.
The Gulf Intelligence (GI) Industry Survey results indicated that nearly half, 48 percent, of those polled believe Qatar’s highest priority should be research and development dedicated to preserving the state’s water supply in a relatively dry climate with little rainfall.
If the state invests in crossover technologies, experts say, industries could redirect funds now allotted to water management for other high-priority areas because in crossover techniques, a single modality can function in several different applications.
Crossover takes many forms, from facial recognition software for pathologists to water pipe inspection, for example. The medical and aviation industries in particular stand to gain from such an adaptation.
Earlier in 2016, The Gulf Intelligence published an article summarizing the survey, stating that 75 percent of Qatar’s water strategies in the realms of industry, academia and government were in need of realignment.
Among questions explored at that time were whether Qatar would benefit from consolidating its domestic water research labs into a master plan and which technology strategy would be the best choice for water security.
More than one third, 38 percent, of survey respondents believed that Qatar's industry and academia should stick with current applications, indicating low confidence levels in desalination technology, which is still in its early days and relatively expensive.
Less than one-fifth, 17 percent, on the other hand felt the state should completely redirect its technology to new systems.
Qatar could soon witness a turning point in its economy with the right decisions as it looks toward long-term goals set for the country’s National Vision 2030.
Alerts Sign-up