World Bank CFO Badré in the Netherlands

Last week, the World Bank’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Bertrand Badré was in the Netherlands for a roadshow covering banks and institutional investors. Accompanied by Frank Heemskerk, the Netherlands Executive Director, he visited potential creditors in the Netherlands. Part of the mission was to look for the financial firepower of Dutch pension funds that can possibly be leveraged by the World Bank Group.

‘We present to ABP and PGGM what we do’, Badré says. ‘Banking isBadre not about making money, but about dealing with future risks. Infrastructure, for instance, is an investment category for institutional investors. We are well-placed to finance infrastructure in developing countries and can leverage investment from institutional investors. Banks are cautious. So we have to turn to pension funds, but also the BlackRocks and AXAs of this world. They don’t come to us, so we go to them.’

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Flood Forecasting – India

The World Bank Group is looking for a firm to assist in the development of Flood Forecasting for the Ganges and the Brahmaputra Basins using satellite based precipitation, ensemble weather forecasts, and remotely-sensed river widths and height.

The firm is assigned to implement long-lead time, public-access flood forecasting systems for the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins spanning India, Bangladesh and Nepal utilizing new satellite precipitation estimates and ensemble weather forecasts from multiple centers.

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Water Quality Testing – Nigeria

The majority of Port Harcourt residents rely on provision from private boreholes and shallow wells. The water quality from boreholes and shallow wells is not regulated.

The Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) supported in 2013/2014 a Water Quality Testing Study. The water quality data collected were from a structured sample of the full range of water sources used in the city: privately constructed boreholes and shallow wells utility sources, utility water received by customers and vended water.

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Fake Seeds Study – Kenya

One of the objectives of the Kenya Agribusiness IC Program is to support the enactment of competitive seed regulations in Kenya in order to unlock private sector led growth of the seed sector. The prevalence of fake seeds has negative consequences on competition in the industry as genuine seed proprietors shy away from the market, and farmers are disillusioned by the low value to their farming operation of the use of improved seed. It is therefore critical to assess the extent of faking of seeds in Kenya in order to be able to design effective interventions to reduce or completely eliminate fake seeds.

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Boosting Solar Energy Capacity in Africa

Press release published on the World Bank website. 

The IFC prides its self on funding innovation, this makes for  interesting opportunities for Dutch companies developing innovative products who are looking for a strong partner.

“We take innovative approaches to our investments, supporting large, potentially transformative projects. We also help developing countries expand the use of cutting-edge technologies, such as concentrated solar power”-

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Sub-Saharan Africa is rich in energy resources but its potential remains mostly untapped. Despite the abundance of sunlight, solar projects have been developed slowly and often inefficiently.

Weak competition and high transaction costs are some of the obstacles that hamper the progress of the technology.

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PSLO Follow-up Mission to Ghana & Senegal

Mark your calendars: May 31 – June 05, 2015 – Ghana & Senegal

The PSLO Network invites you to mark your PSLO Missioncalendars for a follow-up PSLO Mission to Senegal and Ghana, organized by PSLOs for Belgium Johan Malin and Alexander Herring. The Mission will include meetings with World Bank and IFC representatives, Government Implementing Agencies, and Business-to-Business meetings with local companies.

Panama – Sustainable Production Systems and Conservation of Biodiversity

The Sustainable production systems and conservation of biodiversity project in Panama is about to be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. After the expected Board approval, the project will become active and a procurement plan will be published on the World Bank project website. Shortly thereafter, the first procurement notice and actual tenders will be published. The project involves a total of almost $31 million, of which over $8 million is provided by Panama, and over $9.5 million by the GEF.
The Government of Panama has requested World Bank/GEF assistance in preparing the proposed project to further the conservation efforts undertaken by two earlier MBC projects, and  introduce innovation in sustainability options and support for biodiversity mainstreaming. The project will support enhanced corridor integrity and connectivity, and will contribute to preserve the resilience of regional ecosystems to climatic and other external pressures, including preservation of species of conservation concern.

Renewable Energy Strategy Botswana

The Government of Botswana has requested the World Bank for technical assistance to develop a renewable energy strategy for Botswana. In response, the World Bank (Client) intends to apply part of the proceeds of a grant from the Africa Renewable Energy Access (AFREA) program to engage the services of a consultant (Consultant) to develop a comprehensive renewable energy strategy for Botswana, with an emphasis on solar energy.

See full tender here: Renewable Energy Strategy Botswana.

Expression of Interest Deadline: February 26, 2015. Continue reading

Business Development Consultant – Netherlands

The Paris Office of IFC’s Western Europe Department is looking to hire the services of a consulting firm (the Firm) with an in-depth knowledge of the Dutch corporate market. The Firm will support the identification of Dutch corporate prospects. In addition, the Firm is expected to come up with a priority list of target companies and contacts at a senior level leading to the generation of new business opportunities for IFC.

The Assignment’s objective is to provide services to
(i) Support CWE in the effective promotion of IFC’s capabilities in the Netherlands;
(ii) Propose a methodical and focused approach to Business Development in The Netherlands across the IFCs sectors of activity;
(iii) Earmark and prioritize Dutch corporations having expansion plans in emerging markets and facilitate contacts at the top within these firms

See full tender here: Business Development Consultant – Netherlands

Expression of Interest Deadline: 28 March 2015

World Bank Apps

The frequent reaApp-bouwenders of our blog know that we try to help you as much as possible in doing business with the World Bank. The Bank has developed multiple apps to help you as well. In this blog we will provide you with a quick overview of World Bank apps which we think are beneficial to doing business with the World Bank.

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