JOIN THE SEMINAR on Thursday, April 24, 2008 in Downtown Los Angeles, and an optional second day, Friday, April 25, 2008 at the Downtown Los Angeles Export Assistance Center.

Date: Thursday, April 24, 2008
Time: 9:00 am
Location:
Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
350 S. Bixel St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017

LEARN ALL ABOUT CONSULTING and PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Two Asian Development Bank senior procurement experts from the bank’s headquarters in Manila, Philippines, Ignatius Santoso and Yinguo Huang, each with decades of experience in managing the bank’s procurement operations, will be on hand to give a full description and latest updates on the bank’s bidding and consulting procedures. 

The Director of the U.S. Commercial Service’ Manila-based Liaison Office for ADB, Kenneth Reidbord, will also give a talk on U.S. government support and services for U.S. firms.  Mr. Reidbord has worked extensively in Asia since the 1980s.

All three visiting resource persons will also be available for one-on-one counseling sessions on Friday, April 25 at the Downtown Los Angeles Export Assistance Center, 444 S. Flower St., 34th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

ASIA’S PREMIER DEVELOPMENT FINANCING INSTITUTION

The Asian Development Bank is a key player in the Asia Pacific region since its founding in 1966.  It is Asia’s premier development financial institution with a mandate to uplift Asia’s poor from poverty.  As such, the bank’s projects are in development sectors (agriculture, transport, infrastructure, social development) and in the areas of finance and governance.

ADB’S IMPORTANT ROLE IN ASIA

In 2007, developing Asia grew by an aggregate 7 percent, building on its 7.6 percent growth in 2004.  The ADB is facilitating this growth, and the ADB’s procurement rules help to ensure a more transparent and open competitive environment in which to operate within these challenging markets. ADB funded business opportunities also serve as a gateway to newly exporting firms because the bank provides funding comfort and the bank’s influence with borrowing member countries.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AT THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

In 2007, the bank’s lending reached a record $10 billion to such important and emerging markets as India, China, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and some 30 other developing countries spanning the Pacific Islands and Central Asia.  This lending results in billions of dollars worth of procurement for consulting services, equipment, goods and supplies.  The bank’s private sector operations have also grown exponentially in the last few years, giving private sector sponsors the advantage of leveraging the bank’s resources with other lenders for development projects.

US FIRMS ARE VERY COMPETITIVE IN WINNING ADB-FUNDED CONTRACTS

U.S. firms are eligible to bid on all ADB-funded procurement and consulting opportunities and have enjoyed huge success in winning ADB-funded projects.  In the year ending September 2007, U.S. firms won $520 million worth of consulting services and equipment supply contracts.  Since the bank’s founding in 1966, the U.S. has won over $5.5 billion worth of procurement from ADB.  The U.S. has also beaten out rival donor member countries such as Japan, ranking first in overall procurement among these donor countries.

WINNING ADB-FUNDED CONTRACTS

To win ADB-funded contracts, US suppliers and consultants need to be thoroughly familiar with the ADB’s procurement guidelines, which are continually revised to be more open to competition.  This seminar will prepare US firms, as well as individual consultants, to maintain their competitive edge, identify and avoid common errors that can upset otherwise competitive proposals.  For those who participate, no procurement and consulting services questions will remain unanswered.

To register, please complete the form at the following link:
https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=8Q44

For more information, contact:
Bobby Hines
444 S. Flower St., 34th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Tel: 213- 894 – 4231
Fax: 213-894-8789
Email: bobby.hines@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov