Supplying the International Aid/Donor Organisations

Each year, approximately US$60 billion is disbursed in the form of loans, grants or projects designed jointly by Donors and the Governments of Developing countries, or provided as aid relief in circumstances of natural disasters, warfare and famine. In order to tackle the issue of aid/development, the private sector plays a vital role in supplying the necessary goods and services needed to achieve the goals of organisations such as the United Nations, World Bank, Regional Development Banks and the European Union. The question is, how do companies deal with these organisations? 

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce are organising a one-day event which aims to raise awareness of the opportunities available to British companies and how to bid to win projects/tenders. 

WHAT TYPE OF COMPANIES SUPPLY THESE ORGANISATIONS?

There are opportunities in all organisations for all sizes of companies from SMEs to large multinationals. 

The average UN contract ranges from around US$25,000-US$100,000 making it an attractive market for SMEs. The World Bank, Regional Development Banks and EU have a slightly longer-term developmental remit, therefore projects can be in the region of a few million dollars, however opportunities still exist for smaller consultancy companies and suppliers who can work as part of a consortium on large projects. 

Smaller consultancy companies often provide pre-project feasibility studies before the final ‘go-ahead’ is given by the beneficiary country government and donor. 

WHAT DO THESE ORGANISATIONS BUY?

The United Nations Agencies typically procure items that would assist emergency and/or peacekeeping situations such as healthcare supplies (including vaccines, AIDS/TB testing kits), water tanks/filtration equipment, vehicles, family planning products, IT/communications, pharmaceuticals, temporary shelters and security equipment. However consultancy services are also procured in sectors such as Education & Training, Healthcare, Environment, Water & Wastewater and Translations. 

The other Donors such as the World Bank, Regional Development Banks and the EU procure a vast amount of consultancy services in areas such as Good Governance, Financial services, Environment, Water & Wastewater, Healthcare, Agriculture, Energy, Transport, Education & Training plus many other areas to assist developing countries further advance.

Venue: Aston Villa Football Club, Birmingham

For more information please see attached flyer