Made in Holland Water

MADE IN HOLLAND

SolutionS for a changing world Hi-tech and history • From minimisation to reuse • Centuries of innovation

Artificial peninsula • Building with nature

the netherlands: worldwide partner for water

2 MADE IN HOLLAND

New land The Netherlands is expanding once again. Since 2008, an extra bit of land has been added to the

country every day. This will become Maasvlakte 2. Created for one of the largest ports in the world, it covers

a surface area the size of 2000 football fields. We need 240 million cubic meters of earth for this purpose and one

and a half million marram grass plants to hold it all in place. ‘A living people builds for the future’ it says on

the ‘Afsluitdijk’. A barrier constructed in the 1930’s, the start of the largest land reclamation scheme

in the Netherlands. Now, land reclamation ensures the future of Rotterdam as

the largest port of Europe.

www.hollandtrade.com

The Dutch way

www.hollandtrade.com 3

Building on water

The sea flows here now but by 2013 this will be home to 1 km of inland waterway, 13 km motorway, 14 km

railway and 400 hectares of commercial land.

Source: Dick Sellenraad, Rotterdam

In the Spotlight

Integral approach

4 MADE IN HOLLAND

Interview Everything is water

14

7

SolutionS for a

changing world

The final section of the Dutch Delta works is the Maeslant floor barrier. This is an example of the world’s very best tech-nologies merging with the fanciful laws of nature. If there is a threat of flooding from the sea, this flood barrier simply shuts its two enormous white doors. This is just one of the many methods we use to protect the Netherlands against high water.

The world is full of water challenges. More and more people are living in low areas and delta cities which are vulnerable to flooding while, in other areas, there is a shortage of water to meet the needs of the world’s growing population. A single country, however, cannot resolve this alone; global collaboration is needed more than ever and water professionals from all four corners of the globe, with a range of expertise, are required to find the very best solutions. The Dutch water sector is championing international partnerships.The Netherlands may be relatively small on the world map but its specialists have been involved in large, foreign water projects since the Middle Ages. In the 21st century, we are doing our best to raise the profile of water on the worldwide agenda by engaging in international knowledge exchange and collaboration. Let’s work together!


4 Contents Solutions for a changing world 6 In the Spotlight integral approach 11 Outsiders’ opinion water informs how we live 12 Facts and figures to say ‘water’ is to say ‘holland’ 14 Interview Everything is water

Source: Xxx


Enabling

DeltalifeGoing with the flow

Holland AbroadGiving and taking

Technology Report

Good water policy is not a side issue22

27

34


about this publication, October 2011, Made in Holland; Solutions for a changing world is a publication issued by NL EVD International – a division of the NL Agency, which is part of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. Editorial address NL EVD International Made in Holland, PO Box 20105, 2500 EC The Hague, The Netherlands, [email protected] Editor-in-chief Carin Bobeldijk final Editor Priscilla de Jong, Peter Koll Editing Kris Kras Design, Marianne Kalkman, Irene Ras, Werner Bossmann, Anton van Tuijl, Lauren Valbert, Arnoud Veilbrief, Willy Bronsteijn contributors Anita de Wit, Bianca Dijkshoorn, Christina Boomsma concept, design and art direction Kris Kras Design, Utrecht translation Concorde Printed by vijfkeerblauw.nl copyright Articles may be reprinted or reproduced only with acknowledgement of the source: Made in Holland / NL EVD International. No rights may be derived from the contents of this publication. This publication was supported by Partners for Water.

30 Column wc as status symbol 31 Showcase ice cream waste good for biogas 34 Technology Report good water policy is not a side issue 38 Meet the Dutch iww and dutchwatersector.com 40 Links

18 Water for all it all starts with water 21 Water for food Be economical with water 22 Enabling Deltalife Goingwiththeflow 24 Ask a professional Strong together 27 Holland abroad giving and taking

6 MADE IN HOLLAND

In the spotlight Source: Rijkswaterstaat


an integral approach throughout the centuries Water always finds its way. Water that must be drained away from one location, must be stored at another. This inte-gral approach to water issues – water safety, water provision and infrastructure – is a Dutch export product. Dutch engineers are currently examining flood situations, subsidence and infrastructure in their entirety in cities such as New Orleans and Jakarta, in order to find the right solution. This integral approach has come about through the Netherlands’ history and geography as a densely populated river delta. The country is a complex network of dikes, ditches and polders but is also home to flood areas where rivers are given room to expand.

investing in sustainability The Netherlands only covers a small area. Nonetheless, we are one of Europe’s largest exporters of agricultural products. So what is our secret? Well, it involves the efficient and sustainable use of land and water and effective responses to natural conditions. Growers, for example, use the water for their tomatoes a second time around when raising fish. In Dutch cities, authorities are also actively investing in natural water removal. The roofs in cities are, quite literally, turning as green as grass instead of being grey like asphalt and, as a result, are able to store water sustainably. Along the Dutch coast, wherever the salinity of our ground water is increasing, farmers are producing marsh samphire and shellfish instead of potatoes and corn.

Source: dakdokters.nl

8 MADE IN HOLLAND Photo: Xxx

In the spotlight Photo: Eric Fecken

Building with nature The Dutch are used to taming water. Our deltas are high-tech wonders of concrete and steel; they tame the sea to protect our country. Dutch engineering methods, however, have increasingly fallen in line with our history over the past few years. We now work with nature instead of against it; we allow the North Sea to protect itself. Sand that is artificially applied just off the coast is evenly distributed by the effects of the wind, waves and currents and thus protects the delta areas. We allow water to penetrate where it can. In the tradition of the Amsterdam houseboats and Northern Dutch ‘mound’ houses (houses on artificial hillocks in the polder), we are building more homes on water than ever before.


clean water In the Netherlands, we work from a macro to a micro level when it comes to water. In trials with ecological water purification, for example, we have been working with worms that eat polluted sludge and then secrete a cleaner substance. Simultaneously, we are also obtaining improved insights into all of our water flows and, within a few years, all of the water flows in the Netherlands will be visible on a digital dashboard so that flooding can be prevented. Dikes will be equipped with measuring devices that indicate the location of weak areas and points at which water has reached critical levels. This data will then be linked to flow models for rivers and worldwide information from satellites.

Source: NL Agency

10 MADE IN HOLLAND

Polders and collaboration A polder – a piece of land that has been reclaimed from the water – is created as a result of a combination of forces and the Dutch verb ‘to polder’ has connotations relating to discussion and collaboration on the basis of a communal sense of responsibility. In the twelfth century, farmers in Dutch villages and hamlets were already busy working on water management. The water boards, responsible for dams, water quality and the management of the waterways, are the oldest democratic institutions in the country. There is a good reason that the motto of the Dutch water sector is ‘Let’s work together!’ This alludes to working both with foreign companies and in foreign countries, for example, to conducting development programmes in Mozambique or setting up water boards in Romania.

Boundless Water will always flow to the lowest point. Netherlands Watervalley, the Dutch water sector’s vision of the future,

combines all areas under one roof: from business to science, from top experts to international students. It also pays particular

attention to ancient water management monuments and trials of innovative solutions. The contours of this are already clear at the

International Waterweek, the biannual event for the Dutch water sector. The Netherlands is the world’s water specialist.

In the spotlight Source: Energising the Future


Waggonner worked with the Dutch embassy in Washington, DC and the American Planning Association to set up a series of “Dutch Dialogues” with representatives from cities such as Rotterdam and Amsterdam, universities such as TU Delft, and private Dutch design and engineering companies. They conducted a series of three workshops in New Orleans, and gained a tremendous insight into how the Dutch live with the water that surrounds and permeates their country. Waggonner appreciated the Dutch working style. “Who better to consult than the Dutch? From them, you get the plain-spoken, commonsensical truth. They start from what is, and then work with us to build the vision of what can be.”As a result of the workshops, and much additional work with federal and local government, a strategic plan for sustainable, safe and manageable recovery in New Orleans is being created. “We could not have gotten this far without the assistance of the Dutch, and we have more work to do together in Louisiana,” stated Waggonner.

“Water informs how we live”

ProfileDavid Waggonner is a part-

ner in the architectural firm of Waggonner & Ball, and a

founder of “Dutch Dialogues” to revitalize New Orleans.

Outsider’s opinion


“There’s something at once elemental and magical about the way that the Dutch manage water.” David

Waggonner knows firsthand about Dutch water management expertise; he’s been working with a joint

consortium of Dutch public and private interests for the past five years. Their mission: to create a unified

water management plan for the city of New Orleans. “We are trying to create a sustainable city, and the

best foundation for this is to develop a water system that informs how we live. This takes education and a

mental shift, to begin to think like the Dutch do.”

Xxxxxxxx xxxx

14 MADE IN HOLLAND

To say ‘water’ is to say ‘the Netherlands’

The Netherlands has 1,500 water companies and about 500 delta technology companies.

The Dutch relationship with water is almost legendary. Water is in our genes. Facts and figures

clearly illustrate the famous reputation of the Dutch when it comes to water.

of Dutch houses are

connected to the sewer system.

10%The Netherlands is involved in about 10% of the worldwide drinking water supply.

5%

1,500

99%

Facts and figures

The Dutch water system is almost watertight: an average of just 3 to 5% leaks away. This is 10% in the rest of Europe.

of the Netherlands lies

below sea level or ‘below NAP’. (The Normal Amsterdam

Peil). NAP is the zero point with which water levels throughout

the country are measured. It is the approximate

average sea level.

To say ‘water’ is to say ‘the Netherlands’

Dutch Delta works encompass 16,500 kilometres

of dikes and 300 structures. It is the largest flood defence scheme in the world.

16,500

of the - freely accessible -hydraulic engineering market is in the hands of Dutch hydraulic engineers.

Without dikes and dunes, 66% of the Netherlands would flood regularly.

66%40%

Chlorine-free water flows out of the taps in nearly all Dutch households (99.9%).

99.9%

The lowest point in the Netherlands lies at 6.76 metres below sea level (NAP).

6.76

26%

Illustration: Ingrid Joustra


Interview

“We are able to help other

vulnerable delta countries

with our expertise”

14 MADE IN HOLLAND

Phot

o: W

im v

an d

er S

pieg

el


“All human needs and activities come together here in this small, complete, fertile delta area: residing, working, recreation, agriculture and industry. And all this must take place in a safe environment. We know a great deal about water as a result of our living conditions and have learnt so much, in fact, that we are able to help other vulnerable delta countries with our expertise. We have thus formed long-term partnerships with local authorities in the United States, Vietnam and Bangladesh.” Schaap adds that the Dutch water sector is much broader however: “Large flood barriers are spectacular but intelligent irrigation systems and water purification systems are just as important. You can find water everywhere and it is also needed for everything. There is no life without water, it’s that simple.”

The Netherlands Water Partnership, NWP, is a network organisation which has access to suitable

parties for every problem, whether it is large and abstract or small and practical. “We are a gateway to the whole of the Dutch water sector”, says Schaap. The life of the NWP chairman is completely interwoven with water. Sybe Schaap comes from a farming family and grew up in the Noordoostpolder, an area in the IJsselmeer covering 50,000 hectares that was created during the land reclamation project of 1942. As an adult, he became a dike warden for the area with responsibility for the water level, water access points, drainage and safety. “And also for the land that remains”, explains Schaap. This is very important for the farmers. “In my youth, working with water struck me as extremely interesting; I didn’t want to be a farmer but a dike warden.” Nevertheless, farming is still in his blood and he describes it as “an addiction.” He is so “addicted”, in fact, that shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union, Schaap went to the Ukraine to work temporarily in potato growing.

Hundreds of container ships pass by the Hook of Holland every day on their way to the

port of Rotterdam or having just left it. In clear weather, you can see the ships sailing

out in all directions. It is strange to think, though, that the mouth of the river they

pass through can be completely closed. But it can. If there is a heavy storm and safety

in the delta can no longer be guaranteed, the hefty doors of the Measlant flood barrier

close against the water. Ships cannot get in or out. “Living in a delta is fantastic but

you always have to be on your guard,” says Sybe Schaap, chairman of the Netherlands

Water Partnership.

Everything is water

But it is ultimately water that has taken him all over the world. As a water expert, he has worked on projects in Africa and Indonesia. Anywhere, in fact, where there is too much, too little, or over-polluted water. “It is always important to listen to what the people themselves want to achieve. You have to adapt to the existing cultural patterns, including the influence of the village elder, for example. If you want to get anything done, you cannot do it without their support.” This informal culture can also be seen in cities. The Netherlands is reasonably top of mind when it comes to watery issues. “But you mustn’t rush in telling people how things should be done. For many years, I worked at locations in Indonesia which have to face flooding with astounding regularity. In the Netherlands we would just build a dike.” But the situation is sometimes much more complex. “The local population in Indonesia are not only worried about flooding. There is also a risk to public health as a result of contamination in the drainage system.” You cannot resolve this with dikes alone; it requires a multifaceted approach. The Dutch are famous for their integral approach to problems. Sybe Schaap continues: “If someone says: ‘I want a dike’, we often respond: but have you thought about the stretch of river higher up, are the farmers currently getting sufficient water to irrigate their land and what about salinisation issues?” This sometimes scares them off in the short-term but Schaaps’ experience has taught him that the advice is always appreciated in the long-term.

“When it comes to water, everything is linked together.”

The Delta works in the south-west of the Netherlands are world-famous.

The complete south-western delta is protected against the sea while the tide can simply come in and go out again. As a result, flora and fauna have been retained in this unique natural area. It is only

when there is a storm that the huge Neeltje Jans lock gates close.

In addition to this ‘hard approach’, there is also a ‘soft approach’. An

example of this is the ‘Room for the River’

16 MADE IN HOLLAND

Interview

The Dutch are famous for their integral

approach to problems

Photo: Chris Pennarts/Hollandse Hoogte

project which is preparing the entire Dutch river network for rising river water levels over the coming decades. Instead of damming rivers with ever stronger and higher dikes, they are provided with locations at which they can expand at will. The landscape has provided special places for this purpose. “Building with nature is another interesting development”, adds Schaap. “You dump a big pile of sand and then see how the interaction between wind and water-flow distributes it along the coastline. Nature does the hard work for you. Of course, you do need access to accurate calculation models in order to be successful.”

The groundwater level is a grave concern for the director of the Netherlands Water Partnership. “It is dramatically reducing across the world and Europe is no exception. The Netherlands is one of the few countries that is not struggling with this issue. But I have seen evidence of how quickly the groundwater level can drop in North Africa and it is alarming.” Inefficient irrigation in agriculture – which makes up 70 percent of world water use – is also a serious problem. An enormous amount of water is wasted and add to that risk of salinisation. New technology, such as drip-feed irrigation, can help to resolve this. An entirely different problem is drought and the lack of water storage facilities. Schaap explains: “In the Netherlands we increasingly have to face up to changing periods of dry weather and excessive precipitation. This does not necessarily in itself present a problem because if you save water during the wet periods, you will have enough to see you through dry periods. This type of approach, however, is lacking on a worldwide scale. Excess water often flows straight from the rivers into the sea. Water will be the key problem in the coming years. “For the time being, the NWP has plenty to do.”


Xxx.

Water for food

18 MADE IN HOLLAND

Our requirements for freshwater

will drastically increase in the future,

thanks in part to the expanding world

population. New Dutch technologies

make our use of freshwater in agriculture

and horticulture increasingly efficient.

Worldwide. From saving water to reuse

and, if necessary, managing salt water too.

Being economical with freshwater

above ground levelGrowers who depend on irrigation often give their crops too much water. This results in wasting expensive water and an unproductive plant. Potatoes, for example, are particularly sensitive to over-watering. The TerraSen from the Dacom company is known throughout the international world of potatoes; 1,000 models are currently active on all continents. This sensor accurately measures the base moisture that is available and then automatically sends this information to Dacom in Emmen which then provides recommendations to the relevant grower. One TerraSen can manage a field of up to 50 hectares. Growers can save between 25 and 50 percent of their water and the quality of the crop can be just as good and sometimes even better. www.dacom.nl

18 MADE IN HOLLAND

first classIn a greenhouse, a crop takes up 70 percent of the water provided to it. The remaining water contains substances that could damage the natural environment if it was drained into the sewer system. The Dutch technology company Priva advises on and develops automated water provision systems for responsible and economical water management. Drain water is accurately decontaminated using a UV installation, allowing greenhouse growers across the world to efficiently and safely reuse their irrigation water. 45,000 hectares of our earth is covered in glasshouse horticulture, 11,000 hectares of which is situated in the Netherlands. It is no wonder, then that the Dutch are pioneers when it comes to know-how about sustainable greenhouse irrigation. www.priva.nl

Sea farmThe farmer of the future will not start up his tractor in the morning but will go out and launch his boat. Wageningen University & Research centre (WUR) has initiated Leven met Zout (Living with Salt), in collaboration with Dutch industry, in order to research the increasing salinity of water. Why? Well, within just a few years, 70 percent of the world’s population will be living on saline ground. This should not be seen as a threat, however, but as an opportunity. WUR is thus developing new vegetables that are suitable for growing on saline ground and is improving existing crops so that they are also suitable for saline conditions. And then there is the sea farmer. Somewhere in the Oosterschelde, an estuary on the south coast of the Netherlands, bobs the world’s first sea farm, where Dutch scientists are growing seaweed. www.wur.nl/uk/


Photo: Nico van Kappel/Buiten-Beeld

Water for all

It all starts with water Water is a primary condition for life but is also a scarce substance. Many people

throughout the world live without clean drinking water, adequate freshwater or

sufficient sanitary facilities. Internationally, governments, knowledge centres,

companies and NGOs are constantly working on this primary need of every

inhabitant of this planet. The Netherlands is an important supplier of knowledge

and technology and is always on the lookout for sustainable ways to reuse water

from public toilets to water purification plants. From the Netherlands to Africa.

20 MADE IN HOLLAND


four in oneStimulating the installation and use of sanitary facilities is a huge challenge for the water sector in developing countries. The Safi Sana Foundation constructs public sanitary facilities in densely populated slums in Ghana. Toilet waste water is collected with other organic waste and turned into organic fertilisers and biogas which is then sold on the basis of local business models. All of Safi Sana’s sanitary facilities work with a franchise model, allowing four issues to be tackled in one! Firstly, the local population becomes less dependent on increasingly expensive fossil fuels and fertilisers. Secondly, it creates employment opportunities. Thirdly, it improves standards of hygiene and, fourthly, there is clean water for everyone.Read on at www.safisana.org.

Purer than pure The NieuWater BV Puurwaterfabriek in Emmen, a city in the province of Drenthe, is unique in its field. The plant purifies sewer water into ‘ultra-pure water’ that is even free of the minerals that can be found in drinking water. Every day, the plant can supply a maximum of ten thousand cubic metres of water to water-consuming industries such as the oil extraction industry that converts it into steam. The scope, sustainable approach and the combined use of various purification techniques are completely unique. Puurwaterfabriek, a joint venture between the Waterleidingmaatschappij Drenthe and the water board Velt en Vecht is gaining international acclaim. See why at: www.nieuwater.nl.

It all starts with water

Photo: Johannes Odé

Xxxxxxxx xxxxEnabling deltalife

22 MADE IN HOLLAND

Going with the flow Living and working safely below sea level? The Netherlands is the world’s example

of how it can be done. As one of the most densely populated delta areas in the

world, the Netherlands has over the years accumulated a great deal of experience

in enabling delta life. We champion an integral approach to water safety and

recreation, from water management to water governance. Wherever possible, we

seek to collaborate with nature.


Sand engineWater is not a threat, but a strength. An excellent example of this is the Sand Engine, an artificial peninsula created using twenty million cubic metres of seabed sand. It is one kilometre long and at the coast, two kilometres wide. Wind, waves and water flow will evenly distrubute the sand along the North Sea over the coming twenty years, allowing new dunes and beaches to be formed to protect the vulnerable deltas. www.dezandmotor.nl/en-gB/

flood controlHalf of the world’s population lives on the coast or along rivers. If we think in terms of future urban development and climate change, the prevention of flooding becomes increasingly important and a few hours can make a huge difference in relation to this type of threat. A Dutch Consortium is therefore working on a system that predicts water levels and gives disaster teams more time to make important decisions. Flood Control 2015 uses sensor technology and ICT to measure water levels and dike strength and study flow models and forecast the weather in real time.www.floodcontrol2015.com

Eco-dynamic buildingWater is the driving force behind the development of sustainable hydraulic engineering infrastructure. Hydraulic engineering companies Van Oord and Boskalis are focusing on eco-dynamic developments for the future. With their partners in industry, science and the community, they are creating and breathing life into the innovation programme Building With Nature. Over the coming years projects will be developed in the Netherlands and Singapore to obtain new knowledge and insight into the dynamics of natural systems. Building sustainably by working with, instead of against, nature is the key challenge for the future. www.boskalis.nl www.vanoord.com | www.ecoshape.nl

Going with the flow

Photo: Rijkswaterstaat/Joop van Houdt

26 MADE IN HOLLAND24 MADE IN HOLLAND

The Dutch water sector is eager to help international partners, according to Harry Baaijen (61), director

of the Deltares knowledge centre. The Dutch Deltaplan is serving as a model for a water approach to the

Mekong Delta. Research institutions such as Deltares, Alterra and Imares are supported by the Dutch

government to develop knowledge which can then be used by the Dutch water sector and other deltas

around the world.

Ask a professional

Strong together

Photo: Joost Hoving

deltares is an independent

knowledge centre for conducting

research and providing specialist

advice about delta technology.

The institute develops knowledge

about innovative solutions for water,

underground and delta issues and

in relation to living safely, cleanly

and sustainably in delta regions.

Deltares works for governments and

commercial contacts both at home

and abroad. Eight hundred people

work in its centres in Delft and

Utrecht. www.deltares.nl

1 in what areas does the netherlands lead the world in the water sector? In water technology, delta technology and in the maritime sector. The Netherlands has had a strong infrastructure of dikes, dams and locks for many years and we know exactly how to manage and monitor them. Our governmental structure and the division of tasks create an effective water governance strategy. Our systematic approach to rivers, for example, which considers components in relation to one another, also characterises our methods.

2 how can foreign partners benefitfromDutchexpertise? The Dutch water sector is eager to share its knowledge; we are proud of our expertise and are always delighted to deploy it for the benefit of others. Dutch companies and knowledge centres offer their services and products worldwide.

3 HowdoestheDutchexpertisethat is brought in retain its value? Don’t just give Dutch people a task; enter into collaboration with them. And engage smaller and local partners and make all parties as responsible as possible for resolving the problem.

4 how can a small country such as the netherlands be important for giants such as china or australia? It is not the size of the country, but the scope of the problem that counts. The Netherlands has a tradition of knowledge which has been permeated by water technology and innovation for many generations. Working with the Dutch is one way that a huge country such as China can gain this type of specialist knowledge.

5 which water challenges will wefaceinthecomingfiftyyears? The most significant global challenge is providing sufficient clean drinking water. Additionally, we must adapt to extreme weather, high water levels and drought. Water quality, food production and also safety will be threatened. In the Dutch delta, we are more familiar with the problems of water supply and removal than anyone.

6 how can dutch researchers anticipate this? Research institutions such as Deltares, Alterra and Imares develop knowledge for both industry and international partners. The ‘Flood control’ programme is investigating how dikes can be monitored more effectively and managed with advanced technology. It is also looking into how real-time information on water supply and weather forecasting can be used in relation to safety and food production. ‘Building with nature’ represents a different ‘take’ on water: not

Strong together


working against nature, but working with it and using natural elements, such as the mangrove woods in Vietnam and the wetlands in New Orleans to help in the task.

7 which dutch projects are worth a visit? The height difference between the Markermeer and the IJsselmeer, the Sand Engine off the coast at Kijkduin and one of the ‘Room for the River’ projects.

8 how do you get in touch with dutch partners from the water sector? The NWP, Netherlands Water Partnership, brings Dutch companies and institutions into contact with partners worldwide. Using centres such as the Netherlands Water House in Singapore.

26 MADE IN HOLLAND

The Netherlands and Vietnam are both seeking solutions to similar water

problems. Whether this involves defences against rising sea levels or

sustainable management of clean drinking water, experts from the Dutch water

sector are helping the Vietnamese create a delta plan for the Mekong Delta

according to the Dutch example. Conversely, the Dutch can also learn a great

deal from the Vietnamese within the context of their water problems; it is

clearly a give and take relationship.

Giving and taking

Holland abroad

Photo: ANP Photo


The Netherlands and Vietnam seem quite similar when it comes to the issue of water. In the Mekong Delta, the Vietnamese are facing similar water supply and drainage problems as the Dutch and both have particular issues with global climate changes, specifically rising sea levels and increased rainfall. Vietnam has particular problems during the typhoon season which runs from May to November. Too wet, too dry or poor quality water: agriculture is extremely dependent on water supplies and the rice fields, in particular, are very sensitive to this issue. Problems arise when sea water, pesticides from agriculture itself and waste (water) from industry in the urban areas of the Mekong Delta flow into the area.

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is the largest city in the country, with seven million inhabitants. Situated on the South China Sea and the Saigon river, it is of the utmost economic importance for the region. The city also faces high water problems and must adapt to the challenges created by climate change. The ‘Ho Chi Minh City towards the sea’ project was begun in the context of the city’s expansion. It is a twinning project with the city of Rotterdam which has a great deal of experience with the development of the Maasvlakte.

Integral approachThe Netherlands has had a relationship with Vietnam for many decades but, in recent years, trading contacts have increased substantially. The door was flung open when Asian countries decided to open up their managed economies to foreign companies in the nineteen nineties. “The Dutch water sector is highly active in the country; whether they are exploring sales markets or selling their products”, explains Dennis van Peppen from NL EVD International, a Dutch government agency that focuses on facilitating international collaboration and business.

Water Mondiaal is now giving this an extra impulse. This is a policy that enables the Dutch government to enter into collaborations and exchange knowledge

The Dutch integral approach to water is unique

in the world and is now being translated into a delta plan for the complex water problems in

the Mekong Delta.

28 MADE IN HOLLAND

with other delta countries and is now taking place in five countries, including Vietnam. Within the context of Water Mondiaal, the Dutch and Vietnamese work together on the approach to the complex water problems in the Mekong Delta, in line with the example provided by the Dutch Delta plan. Van Peppen continues: “From national to local level, government bodies and other parties that are involved in this problem, work together on the basis of different fields of expertise and disciplines.”

It will be some time, however, before the contracts for the work are actually signed. The collaboration for the Mekong Delta plan is now in an exploratory phase, during which the relevant themes and possible solutions are being set out. Space is also provided for input from the water sector itself and, in line with this approach, ‘reference groups’ have been set up in which the Vietnamese and Dutch form a single component working from various perspectives including agriculture, water sources, infrastructure, simulation, area plans and management (governance). The abiding principle in all this is: the Netherlands has an advisory role; Vietnam provides the people.

Advanced dike monitoringThe Dutch water sector is also active in other areas along the Mekong Delta. It is, for example, involved in a pilot for monitoring river dikes and flood barriers in the province of Quang Nam. This work has been taken on by a Dutch consortium of research institutes which incorporates Deltares, Imtech BV, Nelen & Schuurmans, Hansje Brinker BV and Miramat. The knowledge that has been gained in the context of this project can be applied in range of other countries and could lead to some very beneficial spin-offs. The pilot will last until 2013 and encompasses the design of dams and dikes, including a huge dam in the Mekong River that will measure several kilometres in length. Existing dikes and dams must also be strengthened and reinforced as this will improve the navigability of the river. Measures are also required in relation to water

quality and the purification of waster water from the urban areas and industry.

Water level management and drinking waterOne of the innovative products and services that have found their way to Vietnam, is the Smart Solar Gate from Nelen & Schuurmans. This is an ‘intelligent’ dam that runs on solar energy and mobile networks which anticipates expected rainfall on the basis of weather forecasts and is already being used in the Netherlands. In Vietnam, which has, a different climate and different conditions, it is currently being tested in the irrigation system in the Quang Nam region, near Da Nang.

In 2009, in Cao Lanh in the province of Dong Tap, the Perfector-R was put into operation. This is a robust water purification system that was developed by the Dutch water company PWN and several consultancies. It can be used anywhere, is very energy-efficient, uses few chemicals and is simple to maintain. The installation currently supplies water to 30,000 people and ultimately will be expanded to provide water to 90,000.

Vitens-Evides International is seeking collaboration with local drinking water companies via the Water Operators Partnership. Together with the Da Nang Water Supply Company, the partnership is working on improved and sustainable management of municipal drinking water facilities. The water purification system and distribution network in Ho Chi Minh City is also being improved in collaboration with the Saigon Water Supply Corporation.

Trade missionsAn integral approach can only be worked out on the basis of solid collaborative relationships. Various trade missions have, therefore, been organised from the Netherlands and Vietnam. Each trip takes a specific theme and involves the relevant parties from the water sector. The missions to Vietnam also

Holland abroad


regularly include ministers, top civil servants and a range of experts who are given the opportunity to hold discussions with their (potential) Vietnamese counterparts. The ‘celebrities’ from the Dutch water sector include Prince Willem Alexander who is an expert in water management and climate specialists such as Louise Fresco, Pavel Kabat or Marcel Stive. The former Dutch agriculture minister Cees Veerman, who set out the major aspects of the Dutch delta plan, is also involved in this project.

In transitionAs well as similarities, there are clear differences between the Dutch and Vietnamese situations, particularly when it comes to management and culture. Van Peppen explains: “Vietnam is a country with a different political nature. It is a country in transition from a centrally led to a more open market economy. It is a challenge to translate the integral approach of the Dutch into the Vietnamese situation. It is often hard to find common ground when it comes to organisation and decision-making within governments and industry.”

This is also reflected in the trading contacts, in the communication between delegations from both sides and bilateral consultations. “Definitions, decision-making, experiences: we are working hard to ‘understand one another’.”

According to Van Peppen, the Vietnamese are friendly and open when it comes to contact. “They are ready to accept our input as a result of our expertise and shared situation. But they are also critical; after all, they also have experience with water. The same delta and water issues but with a different climate, management style and economy: we Dutch can also learn from this. Doing business here requires positions of equality”, says Van Peppen. It is a question of give and take.

nl EVd international(Programme Partners for water)dennis van Peppen +31886028183

H undreds of millions of people have no access to safe drinking water. But we can solve this, according to Rolien Sasse from the Dutch development organisation Simavi, as long as we combine our worldwide knowledge, skills

and resources and make people ready and able to take on the challenge. Simavi counts on support from the Dutch sector in its work in the poorest regions of the world.

“Nederland Waterland is a global brand. As such, it engenders expectations for organisations such as Simavi. We believe, however, that solutions must be self-financing in order to be sustainable. Perhaps that is also a Dutch attitude. It is the people in the developing countries themselves who are best placed to improve their situations. Work in the field is therefore carried out by local organisations and companies to which we provide support. Simultaneously, we also organise people and give the theme a voice as there is often a political aspect to why people in developing countries do not have access to water.”

Our foreign contacts sometimes think it is strange that Simavi works so effectively with Dutch industry. Much is expected of the government but privatisation is often viewed with suspicion. In the Netherlands, we have a great deal of experience with privatisation within the context of effective regulation.

Rolien Sasse (1966) is the director of Simavi, a Dutch development organisation that has been improving standards of health in developing countries since 1925. www.simavi.nl

WC as status symbol

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32 MADE IN HOLLAND

The Dutch Water sector is well organised and we form part of that even though we are a relief organisation. This puts us in touch with water boards and companies that are looking to participate in sustainable business. Without the know-how and assistance from Dutch drinking water companies, not forgetting the input from local women’s groups, we would never have been able to set up a profitable drinking water company in the dry prairie of Tanzania or create water kiosks in the capital city of Malawi, for example.

Preventing illness is an important aspect of our work and we encourage the installation and use of WCs in developing countries. Not by providing subsidies for WCs but by creating a functioning local market for poor target groups, with small producers and plumbing companies. If you turn a WC into a status symbol, people are more willing to pay money for it.”

Source: Simavi


The purification of water can now be more sustainable and cheaper thanks to Dutch PWN

Technologies. It has long been possible to filter water from an organic solution, such as ethanol

or hexane, using polymer membranes; the use of ceramic membranes, however, is much more

sustainable as they have a longer lifespan and are easier to clean. Experiments have been

going on with these membranes for some time but, until recently, they have simply been too

expensive to produce. PWN, however, has developed new ceramic membranes that drastically

reduce production and investment costs. In July 2011, PWN Technologies started work on a

testing installation in Singapore with a capacity of 1.2 million litres per day. In the Netherlands,

construction has now begun on a purification installation with a capacity of 120 million litres per

day which also uses CeraMac technology. www.pwntechnologies.nl

Serious game in waterFreshwater provision and water safety is a serious game. The Dutch company Tygron develops

serious games for sustainable and future-proof water management. Since 2005, Tygron has been

designing game simulations that simplify complex challenges for water management teams. The

latest game technology comprises a combination of a touch-table, projectors and 3D visualisations.

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastucture and the Environment now has access to a serious game called

Delta Programme River Land. www.tygron.nl

hydrocity helps cities onlineCities increasingly have to face up to the issue of excessive water,

thanks in part to climate change. Extreme precipitation coupled

with long, dry periods unbalance water supply systems and effective

urban water management depends upon access to prompt, accurate

information. The online platform HydroCity facilitates this.

HydroCity is a Dutch initiative with two driving forces: research

and consultancy HydroLogic and Netherlands Geomatics & Earth

Observation (NEO). Other participating partners include the Technical

Showcase

WC as status symbol

University Delft, University Twente, IBM, Royal Haskoning, Riodesk and

Hydro&Meteo who have been providing input to HydroCity on local

precipitation since 2011. They also provide information on modelling

the urban surfaces which is infiltrated by the precipitation or on which

it evaporates or drains away. HydroCity then produces tailor-made data,

models and accurate forecasts which citizens, as well as authorities, can

put to good use.

www.hydrocity.com

Design of a 120 MLD full-scale CeraMac plant

dana combines and savesRecovering energy is good for the environment and reduces the costs

incurred earlier on in the process. It seems odd that biogas can be

extracted from the purification of waste water. But it can with DANA.

Dynamic ANaerobic Aerobic, otherwise known as DANA, is a new system

for purifying waste water which, in short, combines anaerobic processes

on a carrier material with aerobic processes.

Dutch Aqua Explorer and Nederlandse Westt have developed these

sustainable purification installations in collaboration with Israel-based

Aqwise, with Dutch high-school NHL providing the required process

know-how.

DANA is a simple system with a small ‘footprint’ which also enables

existing aerobic systems to be easily upgraded. The first installation is to

begin in 2012 and is principally of interest to food processing companies

and the paper industry. www.aquaexplorer.nl

CeraMac water purification

lorEm iPSum Sit amEt dolor

34 MADE IN HOLLAND

ice cream waste good for biogas Turning ice cream waste into biogas. You couldn’t make it up! The Dutch company Paques,

however, has developed a bio-composter that converts micro-organisms (read: milk, cream,

proteins, syrups and pieces of fruit) into fuel. Unilever is using the Pacques bio-composter in

its Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream factory. The water products from the world famous ice creams can

be converted into sufficient biogas to provide 40% of the energy requirements for the ice cream

factory. All of the hard work, of course, is done by natural micro-organisms (in this case around

24 thousand billion creatures!) The bio-composter is unique insofar that it processes waste water

that contains fat and oil at the same time as biodegradable elements. It can process around 200 m

waste water per day. Paques has already received enthusiastic requests for the BIOPAQ®AFR from

North America and Asia. www.paques.nl

Showcase

34 MADE IN HOLLAND

How do you combine the purification of waste water with customised irrigation processes? With the

Intelligent Reclaim Irrigation System. Otherwise known as IRIS. In Murcia (Spain) a project that will

help gain the necessary experience will be starting at the end of 2011. Its objective is to connect the

requirements of the small, Spanish waste water treatment process to irrigation, allowing water and

minerals from waste water to be reused. This gives smaller communities an economic perspective as a

result of shortfalls in minerals being offset, among other things. The Dutchman Freddy Dekkers (director of

Water IQ) came up with the idea for IRIS and presented his idea in Valencia in 2009 during a Spanish/Dutch

meeting on water technology. A consortium of Spanish and Dutch companies is now further developing

IRIS within the Dutch Water Technology Innovation Programme. www.wateriq.nl

IRISpurifiesandirrigates

ExecutiveMBAforwatertechnologyFrom 2012 onwards, the Netherlands will be able to offer a unique

MBA course for the water sector. The initiators, Technologisch Top

Instituut Watertechnologie (TTIW) Wetsus and the Rotterdam School of

Management (RSM) have focussed on the development of international

leadership. The ‘Executive MBA Water Specialisation’ is a programme for

talented professionals who would like to further develop their activities

Effective communication is vital within the sphere of water technology. The Dutch company Akvo

is focusing on open source software for mobile phones and the internet in order to simplify the

exchange of information, project financing and reporting. In Bangladesh, for example, research is

being conducted into how arsenic can be removed from water using innovative technologies.

Akvo is helping all of the parties involved, from scientist to financier, by communicating

updates on the progress of the project. Akvo is a non-profit organisation, registered in both the

Netherlands and the United States, and is currently working with around 300 partners in order to

improve the transparency and organisation of project portfolios. Akvo carries out this task for the

Dutch government, banks, businesses and NGOs. www.akvo.org

Transparency in (water) research

within the global water sector. In addition to regular MBA training,

the various modules also concentrate on ‘state of the art’ technology,

management, the international water sector, trends, sustainability and

the creation of an international network. The course will take two years.

Students will complete the modules in Leeuwarden (at Wetsus),

Rotterdam (at RSM) and other locations all over the world.

www.wetsus.nl | www.rsm.nl

www.hollandtrade.com 35 www.hollandtrade.com 35

IRISpurifiesandirrigates

improved dike monitoring in VietnamThe Dutch consultancy InTech is helping Vietnam with the inspection of six thousand kilometres of

Vietnamese dikes. Together with five leading companies in the water and delta sector, the consortium,

which works under the name Holland-Delta, is helping to improve dam inspection and monitoring

processes. Holland-Delta provides the Asian country with a special format which, in the long term,

will allow local governments to inspect the dikes themselves. The inspection method comprises

measurement techniques, a flood warning system and training. Vietnam has annual growth of 7 percent

and, as such, is one of the most rapidly growing economies in Asia. Flooding, however, significantly

hinders this growth but this will change in the future. www.holland-delta.com

3r works in africa and asiaWater and food safety via Recharge, Retention and Reuse. This so-called 3R approach is the

successful formula of a Dutch/German consortium which has been employed in both Africa and

Asia since 2009. Key to the method is the capture, retention and reuse of (rain) water which allows

buffered water to be released during dry periods and times of water shortage. 3R also plays a role in

adapting to climate change.

The consortium has already been involved in the storage and reuse of freshwater in coastal areas in

Mozambique, Kenya, Bangladesh and India. The principle parties of the consortium are:

Acacia Water, Aqua for all, BGR, CPWC, IGRAC, MetaMeta and the RAIN foundation.

These organisations will work on increasing the scale of 3R over the coming years.

www.bebuffered.com

Extracting nutrientsClose collaborative ties between the Dutch water sector and (among

others) the food industry must lead to the shortfall in nutrients being

reduced. The demand for phosphate, for example, is increasing, while world

stocks are reducing. People, animals and plants need phosphate in order to

survive and a lack of this essential nutrient will have drastic consequences

in the future.

The Nutrient Platform brings businesses and organisations from the value

chain together and allows the various parties from the food industry,

agriculture and horticulture, the recycling industry and the water sector

to join forces to exchange expertise and form an integral approach.

The platform also crosses traditional boundaries in order to realise vital

acceleration towards sustainable nutrient management.

www.phosphaterecovery.comwww.nutrientplatform.org

goodbye well, hello pyramidA clean water source is vital for a well. But that is not the case for this water pyramid from the Dutch

Aqua-Aero Watersystems which can process salt water and even polluted river water. The only

requirement is space for an inflatable, 650 m2 tent, a tropical or sub-tropical climate, a flat base and

a little rain every now and then. This pyramid tent works on both the inside and the outside. Solar

energy is used to purify polluted water and convert it into high quality water inside the pyramid and

rainwater, which is captured, purified and stored separately, is harvested on the outside.

Simple to install and to use and, above all, sustainable. Users are not dependent on third parties

as they can operate the pyramid themselves. The result? Between 1,000 and 1,250 litres of clean,

drinking water per day. www.waterpyramid.nl

Water is a political issue

36 MADE IN HOLLAND

Technology reportPhoto: Vincent Basler


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Where does responsibility lie?In the Netherlands, there is a clear institutional structure for governing integrated water management. .The regional Water Boards have been operating for centuries and have the power to levy their own taxes.

Climate change, however, is driving the requirement for solutions that can contribute to climate resilience. Across the globe, climatic disruption is becoming increasingly prevalent, with unpredictable, long periods of drought and sudden, heavy downfalls of rain. The Water Governance Centre was set up to help overseas governments equip themselves for these eventualities. Immediately after the flooding in Colombia, president Uribe requested assistance from the Dutch embassy. The embassy established a link between the Colombian government and the Water Governance Centre. “We are not building drainage channels or dams,” asserts Satijn. “Our work is focussing on an earlier phase. Before physical measures can be implemented, a good governance system must be established. It must be clear who is responsible for water management in relation to spatial planning and other topographical aspects.

Water management is in our genes and flows through our veins. Since the Middle Ages, the Netherlands has had independent local Water Boards for ensuring water quality and safety. No wonder, then, that we are engaged in all four corners of the globe, putting this expert knowledge to good use. The Dutch Water Governance Centre provides advice in the fight against excess water, water shortages or contaminated water. Because water influences more than just public health alone. Water is economy. Water is politics.

The rainy season in Colombia is always problematic, but in December 2010 it was exceptionally bad: 174 people died, 225 were wounded and 1.5 million people were left homeless. So, was this just due to fate? Not entirely. Even though there were extremely high levels of rainfall, land use also had a significant impact on the extent of the damage. Deforestation and lack of drainage and storage capacity for rainwater in the catchment areas were critical factors. As a result, the water forced it’s own path through the Columbian cities and villages, with devastating consequences.

“Flooding such as was seen in Colombia is becoming increasingly common throughout the world”, states Bert Satijn, an associate of the Water Governance Centre in the Netherlands. “And the prime cause is always the same: lack of capacity for water in soil, storage reservoirs and drainage channels.. Deforested hills and mountains can no longer retain excessive precipitation and this consequently leads to enormous amounts of mud being deposited in inhabited areas. The results are catastrophic, with human casualties, a gigantic mess and considerable damage to infrastructure.”

36 MADE IN HOLLAND

Photo: Johan Helmer/Hoogheemraadschap Schieland en Krimpenerwaard Photo: Jean Luc Frerotte/Royal Haskoning

This is often unclear or undefined in many countries. Water management is often just one of the many concerns that a province or municipality may have, and agreements are rarely fulfilled. This is asking for trouble.”

Economic issueAccording to Satijn, preventing severe flooding, such as seen in Colombia, is not just a case of building a few dikes. “It is far more complicated. The water and the ground are the key components of an important asset that is utilised by everyone and, consequently, effective water policy is not just a question of efficient administration, but is also an economic issue. The hydro-electric power station, the paint factory, the farmers, and urban residents – they all use water – and we provide advice as to how all of these demands can be reconciled.” Maarten Hofstra, a specialist in water governance issues and senior consultant at the Water Governance Centre, headed-up their mission to Colombia. “It was a huge task,” he explains. “The river system is extremely complicated. You can’t simply build a few dikes because the rivers would just burst

their banks at other locations. Colombia needs a sustainable solution. Our initial recommendation was to set up an ‘early warning system’ so that the local population would at least have the opportunity to prepare themselves.”

City under siegeOn the other side of the world, the problems are even more drastic. The Indonesian city of Semarang is permanently faced with the threat of flooding as, each and every day, the Java Sea floods into the old city centre. A considerable part of the city is below sea level as a result of soil compaction, according to Johan Helmer from the Waterboard of Rotterdam. “ It is only a question of time before the city lies permanently under water,” he affirms. Responsibilities pertaining to water management in Semarang were unclear and laws were ignored. A pilot study led to the establishment of a new authority in which all of the interested parties and experts were represented. Citizens, entrepreneurs, scientists and the municipality work in partnership, with assistance from the Netherlands, on reclaiming part of Semarang in a sustainable manner. Helmer

38 MADE IN HOLLAND

Technology report


The Water Governance Centre (WGC) is a cooperative

partnership involving Dutch Water Boards, universities,

research institutes, consultancies and governmental

departments. The knowledge of Dutch water professionals

is often called-upon, both within the Netherlands and

abroad. The WGC was set up in order to provide a portal for

water governance issues and to ensure that different types

of expertise are coordinated and cooperate efficiently

and effectively.

The WGC is a network organisation. It is facilitated by a

‘booster team’ who know the Dutch water sector from

A-to-Z. All centres of expertise, Water Boards, and the water

industry, including large, globally-active consulting firms,

collaborate within the network. As a result, the WGC is not

only a source of expertise for institutional, legal, social and

economic issues, but also functions as portal for the entire,

world-renowned Dutch water sector. ‘

watEr BoardSThe first water boards in the Netherlands were founded

in the twelfth century. They had to deal with regular and

sometimes devastating flooding in the low-lying and boggy

delta area of the Netherlands. The water boards built

dikes, regulated the water level and reclaimed increasing

portions of land. In 2011, there is a new challenge; the Delta

Plan must be implemented to ensure that the Netherlands

remains a safe, appealing and prosperous delta in 2100, in

spite of rising sea levels, climate change and the intensive

land use.

Photo: Jean Luc Frerotte/Royal Haskoning

adds: “We hope that we can help the city to recover and raise levels of prosperity.”

Social unrestIt is not just an excess of water that can be life-threatening; dirty water or a lack of water can be just as dangerous. Bert Satijn highlights the river Nile, in Africa, as an example. “The source of the Blue Nile can be found in Ethiopia. If confronted with serious drought, Ethiopia could break international agreements and siphon-off water from the river to the detriment of Egypt, further downstream. The consequence could be serious social and political unrest or even a war over water. The Water Governance Centre also provides advice when it comes to complex issues such as these. ”Does every recommendation lead to a Dutch-style administrative system? “Absolutely not”, states Satijn firmly. “A solution always has to fit in with the local and national administrative structures and cultures. The only thing that matters is the right to a safe environment and, clean water, without this precipitating natural disasters.”


Meet the Dutch

38 MADE IN HOLLAND

There is no better location for the International Water Week (IWW) than Amsterdam, the

city built on poles along the world-famous canals. Experts from across the world will come

together during this bi-annual event in the Netherlands to discuss innovative, integral

solutions to a changing world and see these for real - showcases for this approach can

be found throughout The Netherlands. The IWW is also a platform for the entire water

sector. It combines science and industry in relation to issues such as drinking water

technology and the protection of vulnerable, densely populated deltas. So why not dive

in? Find more information on the website www.internationalwaterweek.com.

A world of water www.internationalwaterweek.com

Whenitcomestocomplexwaterissues,theNetherlandshasvastexperience.Dutchexpertsaresoughtafterintermsofthe approach to global challenges such as drought and rising sea levels.

Collaboration is the key to that success. Between experts from the worlds of science and industry, between governments and NGOs and between countries. Collaboration is second nature for a small trading nation like The Netherlands. See it as a challenge. Let’s work together.

find a partnerThe English website www.dutchwatersector.comwill put you in touch with potential partners from across the Dutch water sector. You will also find many inspiring examples of small and large projects within the sphere of water management, sustainable infrastructure projects, flood prevention and the improvement of water quality.

need to knowBefore you set sail with a Dutch partner, read everything you need to know about the integral, typically Dutch approach to water issues and the special relationship the country and its residents have with water on www.dutchwatersector.com

learning about waterThe demand for water expertise will increase substantially in the future. A socially relevant career in water starts in The Netherlands. The website also provides a summary of educational options, including high-schools and universities which offer comprehensive international programmes, from short courses to complete bachelor programmes.

ww

w.dutchw

atersector.com


Photo: Siebe Swart/Hollandse Hoogte

netherlands water Partnership (nwP)is a public-private network organisation for the

Dutch water sector which comprises over 190

Dutch active water organisations, including

knowledge institutes, private and public

parties and non governmental organisations.

The NWP represents the Dutch water sector in

various global water arenas.

www.nwp.nl/english www.dutchwatersector.com

nfiaThe specific purpose of the Netherlands

Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) is to help

and advise foreign companies that wish to take

advantage of the Dutch business environment

and set up an office in the Netherlands as a

strategic base for the rest of Europe. The NFIA

provides information and practical assistance

free of charge and on a confidential basis.

The NFIA is an operational unit of NL EVD

International, the agency for international

business and cooperation which, in turn, is

part of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs,

Agriculture and Innovation.

www.nfia.nl

nl EVd internationalis a division of the Ministry of Economic Affairs,

Agriculture and Innovation.

It is the central organ of the Dutch government

responsible for promoting the international

presence of Dutch companies and

organisations in foreign markets

and supporting private sector development in

emerging markets.

www.agentschapnl.nl/en www.hollandtrade.com

nufficis a Dutch, non-profit organisation for

international collaboration in higher education.

Nuffic is a centre of expertise when it comes

to international collaboration within education

and is headquartered in The Hague. Nuffic

pays particular attention to students and

educational establishments in developing

countries in order to reduce the knowledge-

gap between countries. Nuffic’s motto is:

“linking knowledge worldwide”.

www.nuffic.nl

TheMinistryofEconomicAffairs,agriculture and innovationaims to strengthen the Dutch economy by

supporting the domestic private sector – the

country’s growth driver – in a general sense.

The Ministry encourages innovation and

modernisation within Dutch companies and

also promotes and supports Dutch businesses,

products, services and expertise abroad.

The Netherlands leads the world in many

economic sectors, including agri-food (world’s

second-largest exporter), logistics (world’s

gateway to Europe), the water sector and

petrochemicals/chemicals, to mention just a

few. In carrying out its brief, the Ministry takes

a very broad view of economic issues, including

sustainability, consumer protection and the

promotion of free markets worldwide.

www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/eleni

the ministry of infrastructure and the Environmentworks on quality of life and accessibility. The

ministry focuses on strong links via the roads,

railways, water and air, protection against

flooding and champions the quality of air

and water.

www.rijksoverheid.nl/ministeries/ienm

Photo: Jurjen DrenthLinks

40 MADE IN HOLLAND

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