Water

Water Operators Partnership Program
Twinning Arrangement between PPWSA and BIWASE

One of the WOP Program's key components is the coordination among water utilities through, among others, twinning arrangements between utilities to develop specific technical or managerial capacity. This twinning arrangement between PPWSA and BIWASE is the first under the WOP Program.		More About the WOP Program Main Page About the WOP Program WOP Key Components WOP-Related Events
Background Objectives of the Twinning Means of Cooperation Advisory Committee Related Links Contacts

In 2006, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Water Partnership (GWP) entered into an agreement to fast-track developments in the Asia-Pacific's water sector. One of the agreed core areas of their cooperation is the Water Operators Partnership (WOP) Program.

The WOP program aims to organize twinning arrangements between water utilities to develop specific technical or managerial capacity. These twinning arrangements between operators will introduce management and institutional reforms needed to improve operations and financial viability.

A twinning arrangement between Cambodia's Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) and Viet Nam's Binh Duong Water Supply Sewerage Environment Company Limited (BIWASE) will commence on 31 July 2007 upon the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) by both parties. The arrangement will proceed for 18 months and may be extended upon the parties' mutual written agreement. BIWASE is a member of the South East Asian Water Utilities Network.

Top

PPWSA and BIWASE intend to cooperate with each other to achieve the following outcomes:

• identified priority areas for improvement of BIWASE operations
• trained BIWASE personnel in priority areas of water supply operations
• institutionalized system of process benchmarking and monitoring
• measurable improvement in two or more areas of operations at the end of the twinning period

Top

A week-long performance audit of BIWASE's operations will ensue after the MoA Signing to identify and prioritize the areas for improvement, and to structure BIWASE's required assistance. It will review the business processes related to:

• quality control and assurance of water production and distribution
• customer relation, billing and collection
• financial administration and information
• strategic management and planning

Based on the performance audit, a work plan will be developed and agreed upon, and may include a wide range of activities that include:

1. Secondment of expert personnel by PPWSA for a period of at least two (2) weeks for managerial positions and at least one (1) month for technical personnel
2. On-site demonstration, especially on asset maintenance and rehabilitation
3. Exchange visits of BIWASE personnel to PPWSA for a period of at least two (2) weeks for managerial positions and at least one (1) month for technical personnel
4. Training of personnel through seminars, courses, and internships on areas of operations that urgently need improvement.

Top

PPWSA and BIWASE agree that an independent Advisory Committee (AC) will be established to provide advice and recommendations to the parties in the implementation of the twinning arrangement. The AC will be composed the following:

• 2 representatives from the ADB
• 1 South East Asian Water Utilities Network (SEAWUN) Board Member
• 1 representative from a donor agency and/or international organization as agreed upon by the Parties.

The AC shall assist the parties by:

• providing advice on the priority areas to be addressed
• assessing the outcomes of the twinning arrangement
• monitoring the progress and impact of the twinning arrangement

Top

• Memorandum of Agreement between BIWASE and PPWSA [PDF]
• Water Operators Partnership Program
• South East Asian Water Utilities Network—SEAWUN

Top

Paul van Klaveren
Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist, ADB
E-Mail: pvanklaveren@adb.org

Mai Flor
Water Governance Specialist, ADB
Email: mmflor@adb.org