Following a long drought, not unfamiliar to Spain, the 9th and 10th of March marked the first of physical trade missions, in this case the water mission to Madrid. During this 2 day event, the Dutch Enterprise agency (RVO) helped participants to discover market opportunities and to acquire details about current developments in Spain. Also openings via the European recovery fund, NextGenerationEU were discussed.
Johann Lombaard, NX Filtration. ‘Enlightening and fruitful experience and a good start for 2022 for doing business in Spain. This mission was a great way to get to know the Spanish water sector in a short time. On Wednesday 4 interesting guest speakers took us through the water challenges Spain is facing, but also a good example of a Spanish city Valladolid which is already progressive and has already embraced Dutch innovative water technology solutions in their local soccer stadium.’
During the scheduled lunch pit-stop the delegation even ran into the Paris Saint Germain soccer team, fortunately not literally.
Next up on the programme was a visit to the Dutch embassy in Madrid, warmly welcomed by Mr. Jan Versteeg, ambassador of the kingdom of the Netherlands Spain, a matchmaking event followed. The participants had about 2 to 4 matchmaking appointments and afterwards there was a well-attended networking reception. This reception was extremely valuable. Apart from the fact that it was pleasant and well organised, most contacts were made there and it served as a springboard to follow-up appointments but also to follow-up activities in Spain. The first steps have already been taken towards a follow-up activity on 27-29 June at the WEX Global in Valencia. Water Alliance and the WEX organization joined forces during this mission to work on a dedicated program for the Dutch Water sector.
On Thursday, day 2, Madrid’s impressive largest waste water treatment plant “Canal de Isabel II” and the reservoir in El Atazar completed the varied programme. With a typical Spanish lunch, a successful mission in Spain ended. In the bus towards the airport most felt somewhat tired, but overall the consensus was positive, a successful mission. Leaving everyone with a healthy appetite for more.
