The state-run Korea Environment Corp. is to sign a memorandum of understanding on Friday with Water Sanitation for Africa, in an effort to help improve access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the region, company officials said Wednesday.

The agreement, which will be made in Abidjan, Cte d’Ivoire, focuses on cooperation in making environment-friendly policies, infrastructure and welfare services.

Water and sanitation levels have been typically poor in Sub-Saharan Africa, with only 31 percent of the population having access to sanitary facilities in 2010, according to the World Bank’s World Development Indicator Database released this year. About 61 percent had access to safe drinking water in the same period.

In addition to seeking new green projects together, KECO is separately planning to find new fields of environment businesses such as waste management, to provide opportunities to Korean companies, they added.

Established in 1988, the Africa-based environment organization consists of 32 African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana.

(monicasuk@heraldcorp.com)