Since January 2007 Price Waterhouse Coopers/Ecorys runs the ORET program on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Developing countries that wish to invest in local infrastructure and thus need foreign goods and services, can apply for an ORET grant in order to alleviate the investment costs.

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An oret grant may be used to partially finance, for example, investments in roads, health care, education or drinking water facilities. The grant may be applied for by the company that wants to supply the goods, work or services. If the investment and the export transaction meet the conditions of the ORET program, this grant is awarded to the developing country. ORET contains three facilities: a tied and untied facility as well as a special facility aimed at investments in the drinking water and sanitation sector. For the Sri Lanka the tied facility is applicable. This facility is meant for export transactions for a selected group of developing countries and transactions in these countries may be awarded a grant of 35% of the total transaction value. Only companies that are established in and operate from the Netherlands may apply for an ORET grant for a project. Furthermore, at least 50% of the transaction must be of Dutch origin.

The conditions
Those companies who wish to apply for an ORET grant are required to submit a fully completed application form. In addition, the applicant must submit a priority statement from the national authorities of the developing country as well as a feasibility study for the entire project of which the transaction is a part. Furtehrmore, a signed letter of interes between exporter and client is required. The FMO doe not only assess ORET applications on financial, technical and organizational feasibility, but also on the sustainable development impact on the local economy.

If you would like more information on the ORET program, please contact FMO to discuss your export and investment plans. More information can be found on the FOM website:  www.oret.nl