Minister Schultz signs agreement with Myanmar to share knowledge on water management
Dutch Minister Schultz van Haegen of Infrastructure & Environment (right) signed an agreement with Myanmar’s minister Nyan Tun Aung of Transport (left) on closer cooperation between the two countries in the field of integrated water management.
The Netherlands will make knowledge and know-how available to support the Burmese people in flood defences, agricultural water management, the fresh-water supply and transport by water.
In return, the Netherlands can learn from the weather extremes that often hit Myanmar.
Exchange knowledge on river delta's
Minister Schultz: "Like the Netherlands, Myanmar is a river delta. And, like the Netherlands, Myanmar has a long coastline. We would like to share the lessons we have learned with others. Two heads are better than one. Together, we will look for solutions to the challenges Myanmar is facing: dry feet, clean water and a fruitful countryside."
Joint steering group
In 2008, Cyclone Nargis caused the deaths of 140,000 people in Myanmar. In 2010, the country was again hit hard, and two weeks ago Cyclone Mahasen left victims in its wake.
Under this agreement, the Dutch and Myanmar's ministries will together set up a steering group which will organise mutual participation in projects and programmes, technical training courses, seminars and study trips, and will flesh out a an integrated water strategy for Myanmar.
The duration of the agreement is three years.
Support democratic reforms
Minister Schultz is the first Dutch minister to make a bilateral visit to Myanmar since the military regime. With this mission, the Netherlands also wants to give a political sign of support for the country’s recent democratic reforms.
"I regard this as the historic start to a promising relationship. A partnership founded on political reforms, respect for human rights and economic development. A partnership that will be of benefit to the people of Myanmar as well as the Netherlands", she said.
Trade mission
The focus of the trade mission to Myanmar is on water. Participants in the Dutch mission include: Arcadis, RoyalHaskoningDHV, Deltares, Van Oord and Delft University of Technology. This notwithstanding, there are wider opportunities for cooperation and investment. For this reason, Shell and Philips are also represented.
Minister Schultz emphasised that the Netherlands can also be an important partner in the fields of transport, logistics and environmental technology. "The opportunities for economic cooperation are many and promising. I firmly believe that – together with local partners – Dutch knowledge institutions, the business community and government agencies can be of great significance for Burma.".
In Naypyidaw, minister Schultz will speak at the seminar 'Towards Safe and Sustainable Water Management in Myanmar'.
This news item was originally published on the website of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment.
More information
Dutch ministry of infrastructure and environment
The Hague, the Netherlands
+31 77 465 67 67
http://www.government.nl/issues/water-management