Oman

Taskforce on Water

While bilateral cooperation has been ongoing for many years, it 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. The cooperation is continuing and is offering new opportunities for the Dutch water sector. Oman is especially looking into the water efficiency expertise that the Dutch water sector offers.

The Taskforce comes together to strengthen the relationship on water between the two countries and exploring concrete opportunities for water cooperation. In an interview published by Waterforum (in Dutch) the Dutch Ambassador to Oman shares her views on the value of the reciprocal exchange of knowledge between Oman and the Netherlands, and the opportunities it brings. “Our Omani counterparts value the integrated approach to water challenges adopted by the Dutch, like in the Delta Programme,” she said NWP Former Managing Director in this interview. “Sharing knowledge on preventing and controlling drought is an interesting exercise for the Dutch too as the Netherlands is experiencing severe droughts again and has a growing need to move to new solutions too."

Looking to the future, NWP foresees many more potential opportunities for cooperation and sharing of expertise, and we aspire to connect the Dutch water sector to these opportunities.

Together we can drive our water ambitions into the future.

Water challenges

Challenges in Oman’s water sector are numerous. Some of the major ones are: water shortages; energy-intensive desalination; high water consumption in the domestic sector; unsustainable groundwater use in the agricultural sector; misdirected subsidies; and the lack of appreciation of integrated water resources management (IWRM) principles by decision makers.*

Opportunities for the sector in Oman

For Dutch companies looking to enter the Omani WEF market, engaging with the right stakeholders is critical. Doing business in Oman and the wider region requires a certain level of adaptability and fluidity – brought on by sharp climatic, regulatory and cultural contrasts when compared to Europe and other regions. In Oman, ministries are driving strategies on resource conservation and diversification linked to the WEF Nexus, while pressured to boost economic diversification and employment. While WEF security is high on the government agenda in Oman, Dutch companies will also need to showcase their best practices, solutions and expertise – by actively engaging with local entities and cultivating those relationships in the long term and integrating elements of local employment and sustainability in their business models.*

NWP works closely together with the Dutch Economic Network in the Gulf Region, including Muscat, which is a very useful diplomatic channel of entry for Dutch companies looking to enter the market.

*Used sources:

Fanack Water provides accessible, well-researched information on the state of water resources in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region through peer-reviewed country files and special reports, as well as interviews and opinion pieces on latest developments in the water sector of each MENA country.

Market Report Gulf region water sector   – 2018, commissioned by Netherlands and You. Netherlands and You is initiated by the Dutch economic network in the GCC to connect business needs in the region with Dutch solutions.