Dutch water masters

October 24, 2016 | 07:10

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Just like Vietnam, the Netherlands has learnt to live with the constant threat of flooding.

With over 26 per cent of land below sea level, the Netherlands always has had to protect itself from the risk of floods. To survive, the Dutch had to be inventive and develop a highly sophisticated means of water management.

Facts & Figures
- The Delta Project in the Netherlands is the world’s largest flood-protection scheme, with more than 16,500 kilometres of dikes and 300 structures. The gigantic Maeslant storm-surge barrier can be closed off in the event of a severe storm, but otherwise remains open to guarantee unimpeded access to the Port of Rotterdam.
- The Netherlands is home to the world’s ten best engineering firms in the field of water and to two world leaders in land reclamation, dredging and coastal construction.
Source: http://www.dutchwatersector.com

By involving relevant stakeholders and designing sustainable engineering and ‘smart’ infrastructure for complex settings, standards of Dutch water management are very high. The Netherlands is the global expert in water solutions for safe drinking water, wastewater management, flood protection, and maritime infrastructure.

Dutch water sector is focused strongly on continuous innovation. In water technology, innovative companies lead the way in the purification and re-use of water. A large network of smaller companies offers specialists and cost effective solutions. Research institutes, universities and (local) government maintain a high standard of water knowledge and management. The Netherlands has learnt its leading-edge water knowhow the hard way, and Vietnam stands to reap the benefits from Dutch water-management expertise.

- The Mekong Delta Plan (MDP), presented in December 2013, is the flagship product developed under our Strategic Partnership Arrangement with Vietnam on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management.
- A set of recommendations for the long-term sustainable development of the Mekong Delta (being agro-business specialisation)
- Two ministries involvement: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and 14 provinces and cities.
- International development partners, the Netherlands and the government of Vietnam are teaming up for implementation of the MDP.

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