|                                                                                                                                                                                     |  | Guide to World Bank Procurement                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
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|**BISNISHome PageSearchBISNISEmbassyReportsCountryReportsIndustryReportsCustomsCornerPublicationsSourcesof FinanceFinanceLinkLeadsand EventsExchangeRatesState ExportsOtherSources** |  | January 1999by Kelly RafteryThe World Bank ("the bank"), like many multilateral development banks, presents an
excellent source of procurement opportunities for U.S. companies interested in entering
the markets of the former Soviet Union.  The World Bank supports development
projects and sector-specific investment programs to build capital infrastructure. The
bank finances more than 200 new projects each year, each of which involves an
estimated 30,000 individual contracts.  These contracts can be a rich source for U.S.
exporters, assuming they pay strict attention to the tendering process and how it is
managed through multiple channels.The project cycle for the World Bank is a process jointly managed by the bank and the
borrowing country ("the borrower").  The bank and the borrower work together to
identify likely projects.  The borrower prepares a set of documents for bank approval
and revisions.  Then the bank evaluates the project for viability and economic impact. 
Negotiations on terms and conditions for the loan are held and, if the board of directors
approves the project, it passes into the implementation phase.A project loan is approved by the bank and, while tenders must be executed according
to all World Bank regulations, the actual responsibility for running the tender and
choosing an appropriate contractor to fulfill the work lies with the borrower, or the
country of project origin.  Therefore, when the tender is actually announced, the
announcement takes place in the host country.  In its web page (www.worldbank.org),
the World Bank repeatedly stresses that it is key for companies to market to and pursue
contacts in the appropriate governmental body in the borrower country.  Essentially all
tenders operate in this manner.There are two ways in which a company can find out more about specific projects from
the World Bank.  One is through a biweekly publication published by the United Nations
called Development Business.  A subscription costs US$495 for one year (24 issues)
and US$845 for two years (48 issues).  This publication includes the following
information of potential value to parties interested in working on World Bank
contracts:Monthly Operational Summary is a monthly listing of all the projects being
considered for financing by the World Bank.  This summary tracks projects from the
time of identification to the time of loan signing.  Nearly 900 projects are listed,
providing enough information for companies to begin marketing to the borrowers.General Procurement and Specific Procurement Notices are also published,
detailing opportunities for companies.Major Contract Award Notices identify the successful bidders for contracts that
have recently been awarded. 
Development Business subscriptions can be ordered through both the World Bank and
the United Nations.The World Bank Development Business Liason Unit
     Room D10-029 
     1818 H Street, NW   
     Washington, D.C. 20433
     tel: (202) 458-2397
     fax: (202) 522-3316Development Business 
     United Nations
     P.O. Box 5850 
     Grand Central Station
     New York, NY 10163-5850The other way a company can find out more about specific projects is through a
monthly business briefing held in Washington D.C. and in Paris, France by the World
Bank. These briefings provide a general overview of the World Bank Group, focusing
heavily on procurement policies and procedures.  Attendance at a briefing costs
US$100 per person, and registration must be completed two weeks prior to the briefing. 
To obtain a current schedule or to sign up, contact:in Washington, D.C.:  Ivonne Lejuez, Monthly Business Briefings, Procurement
Policy and Services Group, The World Bank,  1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20433; tel: (202) 473-1819; fax: (202) 522-3317.in Paris: European Business Briefings, 66, avenue d'I�na, 75116 Paris, France; tel:
+33 (1) 40-69-30-21; fax: +33 (1) 47-23-74-36. 
For more information, visit the World Bank Web page, www.worldbank.org under the
section entitled "For Businesses" or contact the Business Partnership Center by tel:
(202) 522-4272, fax: (202) 522-1727, or email: [email protected].Kelly Raftery works with BISNIS in Washington, D.C.This report is provided courtesy of the Business Information Service for the
Newly Independent States (BISNIS)