The Dutch delegation makes waves at Oman Water Week 2025

Productive matchmaking and site visits

The delegation engaged in matchmaking meetings with key players in Oman’s water sector, including Majis Industrial Services, the Department of Planning of the Nama Water Group, Marafiq (Centralised utilities company), Nama Water Group’s Procurement Department, and the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR). The meetings were organised by NWP and led by Marieke Leenhouts, Senior Project Manager at NWP.

In addition, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Oman organised a matchmaking meeting with Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources.

These sessions gave a valuable understanding of the structure and future direction of Oman’s water market. Each of the players mentioned has a strategic role: Majis delivers industrial water services at Port of Sohar and the Sohar freezone; Marafiq manages utilities for large-scale developments in the Duqm area; Nama Water Group oversees national water distribution and planning; while APSR is the sector’s regulator. Discussions revealed upcoming investment plans, future tenders, and opportunities for international partnerships. 

The delegation was informed about the steps that need to be taken by Dutch companies looking to collaborate, such as registering on vendor lists or taking part in formal tendering procedures. The meetings not only opened promising pathways for future cooperation but also highlighted the complementary strengths between Dutch water expertise and Oman’s ambitious development goals, as openings for research studies and pilots were established.

Aside from the meetings, participants also toured the A’Seeb Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Barka 4 Desalination Plant – one of the largest in the region – as well as the Oman Oasis Bottling Plant and a traditional Falaj irrigation system, blending technical and cultural perspectives. The Dutch Embassy's networking reception also drew a strong attendance.

The energy and expertise of the Dutch participants – Colubris Cleantech, H2O Biofouling Solutions, Nijhuis Saur Industries, NX Filtration, Royal Eijkelkamp, Truxor Wetland Equipment AB, Utrecht University, Wageningen University & Research, and Witteveen+Bos – played a key role in the mission’s success.

MEDRC closed roundtable sessions

The Middle East Desalination Research Center (MEDRC) hosted an exclusive roundtable session at Oman Water Week, bringing together key experts and stakeholders from Oman and the Netherlands to discuss critical water issues. This invitation only event was a focused setting for high-level discussions, collaboration, and innovative solutions in water management and desalination.

MEDRC’s Director, Ciarán Ó Cuinn opened the roundtable session and welcomed the guests. This was followed by an introduction by H.E. Stella Kloth, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Oman, and Sabrina Kraaijenbrink-Doetjes, Project Manager at NWP.

Topics discussed during the session were:

• Stormwater & flood management
• Coastal protection: mangroves & pollution
• Water-Energy: decarbonisation & renewables
• Water-Agriculture Nexus: efficiency, sustainability
• Water resources: AI Tools

In closing the meeting, Loay Alatrash of World Waternet announced that the next Wetskills competition in Oman is scheduled to take place during the Arab Youth Summit 2025 in Salaleh, Oman.

Oman Netherlands Strategic Taskforce on Water

During Oman Water Week, representatives from the Dutch Government met with the Undersecretary of Water Resources of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources of Oman and the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) to advance bilateral cooperation on water. A key focus of the meetings was the further development of the Oman-Netherlands Water Roadmap, which outlines joint priorities for the coming three years.

The Oman-Netherlands Strategic Taskforce on Water, with NWP having led the Dutch water sector’s contribution since 2017, has been designated to oversee the roadmap’s implementation. This will be done in close coordination with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Muscat, the Omani Ministry, and Nama Water Group.

The meetings in Muscat proved highly productive, resulting in the identification of strategic focal points for the roadmap, and paving the way for deeper collaboration between Dutch knowledge institutes, engineering companies, technology providers, and Omani stakeholders. This evolving partnership reinforces the shared intention of both countries to tackle water challenges together through innovation, knowledge exchange, and sustainable development.

We encourage Dutch companies interested in the Omani market to reach out to NWP. With our strong local network and in-depth understanding of Oman’s water landscape, we are well-positioned to support Dutch companies enter or expand their presence in this dynamic and evolving sector.

Thanks

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our partners who contributed to the success of the Dutch trade mission to Oman Water Week. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the Embassy of the Netherlands in Muscat for their warm hospitality and excellent local support, including the organisation of a well-attended networking reception.

We also thank MEDRC for hosting the insightful closed roundtable on Pathways Towards Resilience & Sustainability, and Raya Services for their professional organisation of a truly successful Oman Water Week. And a special thanks to Oman Oasis for welcoming the delegation during the site visits.

We look forward to returning next year with a strong Dutch presence in the Netherlands Pavilion. If you are interested in joining, please contact Marieke Leenhouts of NWP to secure a spot.