From Small Town to Big Bank

I grew up in rural New Mexico. In my career, I have often focused on rural exporters.  When I worked in a domestic office of the U.S. Commercial Service, I was regularly running into consultants (often husband and wife operations) who, while based in rural communities, were actively bidding on and winning consulting work the world over.  Today, COVID-19 has proven that consultants and many other newer service companies can operate from anywhere. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) specifically sets aside consulting contracts for individual consultants, and even those consulting contracts identified for ‘Consulting Firms’ are often won by consortiums specifically pulled together from individual experts to bid on a specific project. The numerous requirements for studies and desk reports are a less recognized aspect of the Multilateral Banks like the ADB. Most focus on the “Goods and Works” included in these multi-million dollar projects.  However, ADB and the other development banks have a long list of mandates that require such studies before, during and after the actual construction happens. Learn more in ADB’s seven operational priorities and a Guide to Doing Business with Multilateral Development Banks.