The Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP) is an independent body set up jointly by the private and public sectors in the Netherlands to act as a national coordination and information centre for water-related issues abroad. The principal aims of the NWP are to harmonise the activities and initiatives of the Dutch water sector abroad and to promote Dutch expertise in water worldwide.
The NWP is the channel through which government bodies, NGOs, knowledge institutes and private organisations in the water sector share information on their activities and services.

Mission
The mission of the NWP is to enhance the Netherlands’ contribution towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals and to promote the Dutch water sector abroad. The NWP acts as a platform for promoting exports, maintaining quality, improving sustainable development and contributing to international water policy. By representing the Dutch water sector in international forums, the NWP ensures closer collaboration among its partners and guarantees that Dutch knowledge and expertise are used to optimal effect.

Objectives
• To enhance the Netherlands’ contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and to tackle worldwide water problems

• To promote Dutch water expertise by harmonising and coordinating the activities of private and public institutions

• To promote the exchange of know-how and improve communication between the relevant government and private agencies in the Netherlands and abroad

• To improve the competitiveness of Dutch businesses through strategic marketing, market analysis and product development

Partners for Water Programme
The Netherlands Water Partnership and the Agency for International Business and Cooperation (EVD) work closely together for two of the three components of the Partners for Water Programme: policy harmonisation and synchronization and cooperation building. This contributes to reach the objectives mentioned above: unite the Dutch water sector, promote the Dutch water expertise abroad and enhance the Netherlands’ contribution towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Members
The NWP has 135 members: 71 private sector companies, 24 public authorities, 19 knowledge institutes, 14 NGOs and 7 water supply companies.

Activities
International Network Development
• The NWP helps to build up international networks by committing itself to relevant international organisations and by setting up projects in collaboration with the Global Water Partnership and World Water Council

• The NWP is the national discussion partner for such bodies as the World Water Council (WWC) and the Global Water Partnership (GWP)

• The NWP participates in various water-related missions, events and international fairs, for example WWF4 (Mexico, March 2006), IWA Beijing (September 2006), Water Missions to China, UAE, Saudi-Arabia (2006). The agenda for 2007 will be finalised in late 2006

• The NWP builds networks and relationships with professional organisations, international alumni and Dutch representatives in international networks

Business Development
• The NWP has worked with representatives from the Dutch water sector to define a strategy for improving the Netherlands’ position on the world market. It has identified threats and opportunities based on a thorough market scan, and proposed specific actions which are currently being implemented.

• The NWP-TRUST Programme, set up by NWP members in cooperation with the Dutch Ministry of Development Cooperation, aims to provide 10 million people with sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation and to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

• The Innovation Programme initiated by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs focuses on export-triggered innovation. The starting point is formed by innovative technologies demonstrated in a strong domestic market for a worldwide audience. The programme emphasises innovation in the fields of 'water technology'.

• The NWP brings together water-related know-how and Dutch products and technologies, the aim being to use this expertise in the Netherlands and abroad. It encourages the authorities, public institutions and private companies to work together on new solutions for worldwide water issues (public-public, public-private, private-private partnerships).

• The NWP supports public-private partnerships (PPP) in the Dutch and international water sectors.

• The NWP has access to financial instruments to support public-private partnerships in the water sector.

• The NWP scans potential markets for Dutch products, looking closely at local products and technologies, local issues, investment programmes and legislation.

Source: Dutch Water Sector 2007-2008