Aid Funded Business Service

All these agencies exist to improve the prosperity and well being of people in developing countries. But they need commercial firms to realise their projects. They also recognise that promoting joint ventures, partnerships and investment between our companies and those in the developing world will also assist in the development process. Fostering the private sector in poorer countries promotes growth and employment, develops capacity and encourages the transfer of technology.
The agencies spend around $60 billion each year, which represents substantial business opportunities.

Would my products/services be procured by these agencies?
As a rough guide to the types of goods/services each agency procures, please see list below:

United Nations
Agricultural equipment and supplies; building and construction equipment and supplies; computers; contraceptives; consultancy; cooling and heating equipment; electrical equipment; telecommunications systems; emergency relief items; hand tools and workshop kits; laboratory equipment; machine tools; materials handling equipment; medical equipment and supplies; motorcycles and bicycles; motor vehicles; office equipment; pharmaceutical products and vaccines; teaching and training equipment; water supply equipment.

The World Bank
Sectors of opportunity include: education and health services; private sector work; finance; safety nets; infrastructure, including transportation; water supply and sanitation; environment; power; renewable energy; agriculture; governance.

There are various guides available from the Aid-Funded Business Service explaining how each agency operates and the type of goods and services they procure including:
· General Guide to Aid-Funded Business
· Guide to the United Nations Agencies
· Guide to European Commission External Aid
· The World Bank Group
· Guide to the Regional Development Banks

To receive copies of the above publications, contact the Aid Funded Business Service on 0845 603 0084.

How do I start the process? 
Birmingham Chamber regularly holds business clinics with commercial officers based in the British Consulates and Embassies where these agencies are based. It is the role of these commercial officers to assist UK businesses on where to start and whom to contact. For a list of upcoming events in this area please contact Alethea Warburton on 0121 450 4205 or email a.warburton@birminghamchamber.org.uk

 
The Chamber also takes annual group visits to the United Nations in Vienna, New York, the World Bank in Washington DC and the United Nations and International Red Cross in Geneva. It can also direct businesses to other group visits to the United Agencies in Copenhagen, plus group visits going to various other procurement centres.