NMCP stands for Netherlands Management Co-operation Programme an independent organisation that assigns senior advisers, many of whom are retired or have taken early retirement, to companies and organisations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and central and eastern Europe. These advisers share their knowledge and experience without receiving any financial reward.

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What else?
NMCP is a partnership between employers and the government, set up in 1978 at the initiative of the Netherlands Industry (VNO), which has meanwhile merged to become VNO-NCW. Since March 1997, NMCP has become an independent organisation with close ties with VNO-NCW, which also provides financial support.

In selecting the countries to which it assigns experts, NMCP adheres to the policy of the Netherlands’ government and the European Union, which together are the main funders of NMCP mission by means of annual grants. Since 1990 NMCP has also been active in Central- and Eastern Europe. Meanwhile NMCP works in eighty countries and has about 3000 senior advisers on file. Of these, 1200 or so are assigned each year.

How does NMCP work?
By providing personal and direct advice to companies and organisations NMCP is seeking to contribute to the development of a social market economy in the countries where it is active. The intention is also to increase employment in those countries, improve international co-operation and encourage cleaner production. Independent research has shown that provision of direct advice by senior advisers is highly effective. Most of the mission carried out by NMCP expert's lead to an improvement in company results.

NMCP has senior advisers available in practically every field of agriculture, industry and trade but also in the fields of health care, management and public sector services. Through their past working background they are able to assist companies and organisations with their knowledge and experience. They are often familiar with the type of company to which they are being sent as an adviser. Many have worked in the countries where NMCP is active and are acquainted with local conditions and customs.

The search for the right senior adviser to match an application is the work of seventy country co-ordinators and sector advisers. The latter are also volunteers and do not receive any financial reward for their work. Moreover NMCP has a network of 150 representatives in the countries where it operates. NMCP determines the length of the mission in consultation with the company in question and the adviser to be assigned. Missions in Europe on average last three weeks with a maximum of two months. In Africa, Asia and Latin America this is seven weeks, with a maximum of three months. A follow-up visit is common. After the mission many experts continue to assist the companies they have advised from the Netherlands.

What else does NMCP do?
Besides advising companies and organisations abroad, NMCP also organises training courses in The Netherlands. Many of the advisers sent on mission noted during their assignment that company results could be improved through the training of personnel in The Netherlands. Thus, hundreds of trainees come to The Netherlands every year.

Entrepreneurs in Africa, Asia, Latin America and central and Eastern Europe are assisted in getting in touch with fellow businesses in The Netherlands by means of the Business Link Programme. Guidance is given by an NMCP expert who uses his/her business contacts in The Netherlands.

What are the set conditions of the company?
Any local private or state company, which is independent and works commercially, can apply to NMCP. The condition is that it is not a subsidiary of a foreign or multinational company.

Only companies that lack financial resources of their own are eligible to call upon the services of an independent external adviser.

There has to be a reasonable relationship between the costs of the mission - e.g. the travelling expenses to the country in question, insurance, administrative costs and the like - and the result to be expected.

The company requesting a manager pays the local costs, such as accommodation, cost of living, transport and office facilities.

Interested?
Foreign companies and organisations that are interested in an PUM advisor can visit PUM Web site  www.pum.nl and apply on line.
For information please contact the local representative in Sri Lanka :
Mr. S P C Kumarasinghe +94 11 2695590(tel), +94 11 5361423 (fax),  kumar45@sltnet.lk  
PUM Netherlands Senior Experts in The Netherlands :  INFO@pum.nl