Valuable connections and engaging meetings during Oman Sustainability Week

From 13-15 March 2023 a delegation of 13 companies visited Oman for the Oman Sustainability Week in Muscat and to meet with several government bodies in Oman. The delegation consisted of Dutch water and energy companies and the participants actively engaged in three days full of networking and site visits, as well as enjoying the hospitable Omani culture. The mission programme was organised by the Netherlands Water Partnership and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Oman.

Muscat was a great place to meet, offering high quality knowledge exchange and education, lively business conversations, and the latest trends and proven solutions in water and energy. The companies that took part in the trade mission were unanimously positive and look back at a successful week.

Oman Vision 2040

Oman Sustainability Week is an annual platform and this year it highlighted Oman’s commitment to sustainability leadership through innovative strategies aligned with Oman’s Vision 2040 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event engages national development stakeholders to present Oman as a new model for sustainable development.

Bringing together key stakeholders – policy makers, sustainability experts and industry leaders – the event focused on the core message of sustainability as a national objective. It showed that Oman has great ambitions and gave the Dutch water sector a better understanding of the business opportunities in the region.

Bilateral cooperation between Oman and the Netherlands has been ongoing for many years, and was intensified in 2017 when the Oman Netherlands Taskforce on Water was established. Since then there have been numerous successful follow-up meetings and exchanges of ideas and recommendations. This year was the first in-person meeting after the pandemic. The delegation visiting Oman Sustainability Week strengthened the continuing cooperation and offered new opportunities for the Dutch water sector.

Well organized event, pleasant and very relevant for us to open the right doors in Oman to sustainable business!

Alfred Geitenbeek

Royal Eijkelkamp

Networking galore

NWP and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Oman organised a three day programme of networking, pitch presentations and matchmaking. The companies that joined the mission presented their work at the eye-catching Netherlands Pavilion that stood out in the signature orange colour of the Netherlands.

The companies showcased their knowledge, expertise and proven solutions in the fields of:

key infrastructure solutions - Vopak
soil and water solutions - Royal Eijkelkamp
sensors - Sensoterra
revolutionising materials innovation and local manufacturing – The Open Mind Company
smart water recycling - Hydraloop
controlling biofouling in industrial water systems – H2O Biofouling Solutions
flood and drought resilience – Slamdam/Zephyr Consulting
GReen Oxygen, Hydrogen and Wasteheat (GROHW) – Witteveen+Bos
innovations in water intake screening – Hubert Stavoren
enabling Delta life - Deltares
desalination technology: water treatment containers for seawater and brackish water applications - Hydrovolta
low carbon fertilisers, fuels, and feedstock for agriculture, transport, and industry – OCI Global
sustainable development, management and operation of large ports – Port of Rotterdam

The Netherlands Pavilion was graced by a visit of His Excellency Salim Al Aufi, Minister of Energy & Minerals of Oman. He was welcomed by Her Excellency Stella Kloth, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Sultanate of Oman who stressed the long-lasting bond between Oman and the Netherlands. His Excellency proceeded by talking to some of the participants in the Pavilion where he learned about the knowledge and expertise of the Dutch water and energy sector.

His Excellency Salim Al Aufi, Minister of Energy Minerals in Oman, visiting the Netherlands Pavilion

Innovations from the Netherlands at Sustainability Talks

Next to showcasing their expertise in the Netherlands Pavilion, the participants inspired the audience from all over the Gulf region with presentations at the Sustainability Talks theatre.

The seminar session was held on Tuesday 14 March and highlighted the existing collaboration between Oman and the Netherlands. The seminar was opened with a Welcome Address by Her Excellency Stella Kloth, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Sultanate of Oman.

With the intention of sharing information and inspiring the audience on best practices, innovations, and technologies, the Dutch speakers at the Sustainability Talks programme gave the attendees insights that would support their research efforts and business goals. It proved to be an excellent accelerator of trade, as one of the participants secured an order on the spot!

Ambassador Stella Kloth speaking at Oman Sustainability Week 2023

Her Excellency Ambassador Stella Kloth speaking at the Sustainability Talks at Oman Sustainability Week 2023

Attendees listening to pitch presentations of Dutch companies at Sustainability Talks theatre at Oman Sustainability Week 2023

Crowd of attendees listening to the Innovations from Dutch companies presented at Sustainability Talks @Oman Sustainabilty Week 2023

Site visits

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands arranged several site visits for the participating companies, helping them to connect with local stakeholders and potential partners and customers.

On Monday 13 March, the delegation met with the General Directorate of Asset Management of the Oman Water & Wastewater Services Company (OWWSC). The OWWSC team graciously hosted a tour of the Al Ansab Water Treatment Station in Muscat and shared fascinating insights about the asset management of the plant. Ideas for cooperation arose instantly and a return visit to the Netherlands was discussed.

On Tuesday 14 March, a meeting was held with the Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC). Among the challenges faced are the high water table and growth of reed. Best practices in the Netherlands were shared and the lively dialogue will be continued online.

Wednesday 15 March, marked the visit of some of the companies to the biofuel factory in Khazaen, and an Energy Majlis meeting in the afternoon.

Group picture of the Dutch delegation participants that visited OWWSC during Oman Sustainability Week 2023

Delegation visiting Oman Water & Wastewater Services Company (OWWSC) at Al Ansab Water Treatment Station in Muscat

Oman Task Force meeting

A meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources took place on Monday 13 March as part of the Oman Task Force programme. The Taskforce, established in 2017, comes together regularly to strengthen the relationship on water between the two countries and to explore opportunities for water cooperation.

The companies that attended the meeting presented their expertise and solutions, and were given the opportunity to expand their network of contacts in Oman. A reciprocal visit to the Netherlands is in the planning for later in the year.

Business opportunities in Oman and the Gulf region

The presence of the Dutch water sector in the region is growing, especially in the domain of water technology. The coming years is likely to see more opportunities for the Dutch water sector to expand its activities, especially in Oman, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. If you are interested in knowing more about potential business opportunities in Oman and other Gulf countries, contact our Project Managers Marieke Leenhouts and Sabrina Kraaijenbrink-Doetjes.

Valuable connections and solid sales leads

The mission programme was a great success for the participating organisations. It resulted in valuable connections, solid sales leads, a better understanding of the water and energy demands in the Gulf region, and greater clarity of potential business opportunities.

NWP would like to thank the companies that joined us on this mission: Deltares, Hubert Stavoren, Hydraloop, Hydrovolta, H2O Biofouling Solutions, OCI Global, Port of Rotterdam, Royal Eijkelkamp, Sensoterra, The Open Mind company, Vopak, Witteveen+Bos, and Zephyr Consulting.

And also a big thanks to the team at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands the Sultanate of Oman for their invaluable support and opening up their network of local connections to the participants!