OREANDA-NEWS. February 15, 2010. The seminar is intended for companies, firms and individual consultants willing to participate in the tenders financed through WB loans.

At the seminar opening WB country manager for Azerbaijan Gregory Jedrzeiczak said that the seminar goal was to help local business with participation in Bank’s projects in the country.

“Today WB portfolio on Azerbaijan exceeds US2 bn and more than US 1.6 bn has not been distributed. When discussing with the government the matter of raising the indicators of finances spending we agreed on stimulation of domestic companies in contracts for these projects. Local business could take part in contracts if not as main contractor, then as sub-contractor, partner in an alliance or a joint venture. In our view, there are three key directions for that – projects in road sector, watersupply and sewage program on 42 regions of Azerbaijan and program of upgrade of Azerbaijani railway lines,” Jedrzeiczak said.

Cost of works on each of the directions is US 500-600 million.

“Domestic business has a range of competitive advantages for participation in these projects – lack of transport costs, less expenditures on staff and organization partners. We, as representation office, ready to provide for business the whole information on procedures and involvement in tenders on WB-financed projects,” he said.

The seminar is chaired jointly by ASPA chairman Iskandar Chandirli and WB regional procurement manager for Europe and Central Asia Devesh Mishra.

The following topics are under discussion within the seminar:

Introduction in practice of the ASPA;

New opportunities for participation in WBG tender processes;

Presentation by the WB Integrity Department’s representative;

Participants’ questions;

Presentation on E-Procurement;

Presentation on regional procurement experience