The Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) in the Arab Republic of Egypt was established in 2004. The Holding Company, in collaboration with its 24 affiliated companies, is working to improve hygiene and increase access to safe drinking water and sanitation; increase the productivity of water; develop the required skills through capacity building, institutional strengthening and policy/ regulatory reform; direct investments to meet immediate needs, build infrastructure, and mobilize local capital; transfer of advanced-technologies and know-how to the water and wastewater sector and investments in research and development (R & D).