Category Archives: Uncategorized

Netherlands, Bangladesh and World Bank agree to protect Bangladesh delta

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Original article posted on Netherlands Government website (in Dutch) on June 16.

Ministers Lilianne Ploumen (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) and Melanie Schultz van Haegen (Infrastructure and Environment) have signed an agreement with the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank Group to protect the Bangladesh delta against flooding and to ensure sufficient clean drinking water and sanitation. The Netherlands and Bangladesh will also collaborate in the field of land reclamation and port development. The Bangladesh lowlands form the largest delta of Asia and the world’s most densely populated area that faces serious water challenges (remainder in Dutch).

Learn more about the plan at http://www.bandudeltas.org/.

Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100

De samenwerking moet resulteren in het Bangladesh partnershipBangladesh Delta Plan 2100, een langetermijnvisie met niet alleen technische oplossingen maar ook een investeringsplan, inclusief private participatie, en een goede bestuurlijke inbedding. Op die manier kan het, met behoud van de unieke biodiversiteit en  fysische eigenschappen van de delta, bijdragen aan het doel van Bangladesh om in 2021 een midden-inkomensland te zijn.

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Public procurement in the context of natural disasters

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Original blog published by Felipe Goya on the World Bank website.

Nepal is coping with the consequences of a disastrous earthquake. During the next months the government will be under a lot of pressure to respond quickly to the needs of the population.

Public procurement units across the Volunteers unload relief materials in Nepalcountry will also feel this pressure. They will be deciding over the purchase of goods and services with taxpayer money. On the one hand, the purchases are urgently needed. On the other, there is a risk that taxpayer money can be wasted if decisions are taken too hastily.

One instrument that can be helpful in this kind of situation is a framework agreement. This should be part of any country’s Disaster Risk Management plan. Its aim is to have a procurement system ready that responds quickly to an emergency. But this quick response should not increase risks beyond what policymakers have defined as acceptable. Special procurement procedures for emergencies should be part of disaster management systems and should especially include tailored framework agreements.

Specific considerations:

  • Delivery capacity
  • Price speculation

Read the full article at http://blogs.worldbank.org/endpovertyinsouthasia/shaping-procurement-plan-emergencies?CID=EXT_TWBN_D_EXT.

 

Renewed support for infrastructure in developing countries

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The Netherlands has renewed its system of financial support for major infrastructure projects in developing countries. “The building and construction of, for example, ports, irrigation systems and coastal protection are crucial to economic development and improve the lives of the population. The new DRIVE program plays an important and innovative way in this,” says Minister Ploumen for Foreign Trade and Development.

It is expected that over the coming years investments in infrastructure will increase enormously in Africa. Reports speak of a ‘boom’ more than $ 100 billion in investments annually over a long period. DRIVE stands for Development and Related Infrastructure Investment Vehicle, and is the successor of the Program for Development-related Infrastructure in Developing Countries (ORIO).

Continue reading the press release (in Dutch).

More information in English at the RVO Website.

Go on a mission to the World Bank ; The future

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missionMissions are an integral part to working with the World Bank and understanding how it functions. They give companies the opportunity to meet decision makers, ask questions and attend seminars such as a “procurement” seminar which could provide you with the information to help to win future World Bank Projects.

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Tesla’s low-cost renewable battery could revolutionise Africa’s energy supply

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Makhtar Diop (  @Diop_WB  ) World Bank Vice President  Africa recently posted this article on his twitter feed and we enjoyed it so much we wanted to share it as well!

Batteries that can store renewable energy for longer and at half the current cost have been hailed as an energy revolution that could transform Africa’s power supply.

ESMAP Newsletter

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Interested in working with the World Bank on energy projects ?

The Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) is a global knowledge and technical assistance program administered by the World Bank.  It provides analytical and advisory services to low- and middle-income countries to increase their know-how and institutional capacity to achieve environmentally sustainable energy solutions for poverty reduction and economic growth. Supporting over a hundred activities in countries around the world at any given time, ESMAP is an integral part of the Energy and Extractives Global Practice of the World Bank.

Sign up to the newsletter here

 

 

WB Procurement APP update!

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From reading our previous posts you will know that we are interested in tools that increase the transparency and accessibility of information concerning projects. This is why today we are introducing you to the Word Bank procurement APP which is only accessible on the iPad.

The World Bank Procurement App for IPads offers the most recent procurement data covering major contracts awarded under Bank-funded projects. Through the App, users can easily explore large amounts of complex data in a short time. Ratios, trends, supplier rankings, pie charts and bar graphs are just some of its core features. Information can be organized and sorted through a variety of filters and functions.

Read more here

Did you know? (2)

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A couple of weeks ago we posted a ‘did you know’ article to recap information we have shared on this blog. We think it’s time to do another one, so here is ‘did you know – part 2’.

  • … the MIGA is one of the five pillars of the World Bank Group? The MIGA provides investment insurance against non-commercial risks.
  • … this blog regularly posts tender opportunities which could be interesting to Dutch companies? In the past few months several World Bank projects in the health, agriculture, water and energy sector have been brought to the attention of our readers!
  • … that in Fiscal Year 2014, measured by budget, the IFC was the largest pillar of the World Bank Group, financing projects for over $22 billion?
  • … that every year the World Bank Group and the IMF organize their Spring Meetings together? From April 17th to 19th, 2015 this event took place here in Washington, DC.
  • …..this year the Annual Meetings will be held in Lima Peru from October 9 – 11, 2015.

Again, just some facts for you to keep in mind when you read about the World Bank and especially when you want to do business with the World Bank Group!

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Energy Sector Mission

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The 11th of March we posted an article on our blog to make you aware of the upcoming Energy sector mission to the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Asian Development Bank and Millennium Challenge Corporation in Washington, DC from May 4 – 7, 2015.

The joint mission, involving companies from Canada, United States, Austria, France, Spain, the Netherlands and other countries is next week!

The theme of this energy mission is “Integrating Sustainable Energy in Global Development”. The mission is intended for private sector parties – both suppliers and consultants – interested in learning about business opportunities in the energy sector.

This is always a unique opportunity to network with companies and potential partners from around the world and at the same time learn about opportunities in the energy sector from the World Bank and other institutions. For those of you who can’t attend but might be interested in the next Energy Mission, we have attached the Energy Mission 2015 agenda.

For more information on what the efforts of the World Bank, IADB , MMC and ADB entail concerning energy, click the organization.

Slides are available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9fl3wj3ju2ea9t0/AACl0mpt7-mwTtlziIkfErGha