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n a sign of intensifying ties, a Dutch delegation is set to visit Jakarta and Surabaya to further realize bilateral projects on water management and port development.

The Dutch delegation is scheduled to visit from March 30 until April 4, headed by Infrastructure and Environment Minister Schultz van Haegen. Some 18 CEOs will accompany the minister in a visit aimed at realizing bilateral cooperation following Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte'€™s visit to Jakarta in November 2013.

In addition to numerous talks held in the two countries, the Dutch delegation and Indonesian officials will discuss a master plan for National Capital Integrated Coastal Development (NCICD), which is intended to protect Jakarta from water and to make integrated coastal development possible, during a presentation in Jakarta next week.

They will also prepare for the establishment of a project management unit (PMU) of NCICD.

As a leader in integrated water management and innovative water technology, the Netherlands has offered its expertise to protect the city against flooding by taking protective measures. It has also offered advice on addressing land subsidence in Jakarta, a city that is sinking by between 4 and 10 centimeters per year. Urbanization is also putting pressure on the drinking water supply.

'€œGreat efforts are needed to protect the people of Jakarta from floods. Dutch companies and research institutions would like to lend assistance. Water offers us new opportunities for strengthening the ties between our two countries,'€ Schultz said ahead of the visit, in a written statement received by The Jakarta Post on Friday.

The delegation will also visit the vulnerable coastal protection site in Jakarta, the port of Surabaya and the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG).

Companies and organizations from the water and port sectors accompanying the minister are Arcadis, BAM, Boskalis, Deltares, City of Rotterdam, Grontmij, IHC Merwede, KNMI, Kuiper Compagnons, Netherlands Water Partnership, Port of Rotterdam, Royal Haskoning DHV, Simavi, STC Group, Strukton, Van Oord, Witteveen and Bos.

'€œThey hope to make further contributions to the new hydraulic engineering and port development projects in Indonesia,'€ the statement said.

Bilateral talks on the future of water cooperation have been scheduled with Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya, Jakarta Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama and Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini.

The two countries will also negotiate the renewal of the Bilateral Investment Agreement, which will expire in June 2015.

During a meeting with Vice President Boediono on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, Rutte reiterated the Netherlands'€™ readiness to share its experiences and intensify cooperation in water management.

Boediono also visited Maeslant Barrier (storm surge barrier), which was built from 1991-1997 to protect Rotterdam and its surrounding area from flooding.

The construction of the Maeslantkering was part of the Europoortkering project, which aimed to improve the safety of the Rotterdam Harbor '€” the biggest port in Europe '€” and the surrounding towns and agricultural areas. This was carried out by the reinforcement of existing dikes as far as 50 kilometers inland.