The IDB annually holds a series of five industry sector-specific business seminars and one procurement workshop to inform consultants, companies, development specialists and government officials from the IDB's 47 member countries on contract opportunities generated by projects financed by the IDB Group in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Each seminar covers the following topics: current lending strategy and pipeline projects of given sector; the IDB project cycle, and procurement policies and procedures for both consulting services and goods and works. The events also provide ample opportunity to network with IDB project specialists and fellow participants. A brief description of each seminar is listed below:

The seminars are held in English only

Friday, July 11

Education, Health, Social Protection and Science and Technology

IDB Headquarters, Washington, DC

Topics include: Education, Health, Social Protection and Science and Technology system reform; promotion of quality education; pupil assessment; education and technology; vocational education and training; public/private partnerships; administration of the education system and the role of the public sector; preschool and early childhood, and alternative delivery modes to reach excluded populations. Science and Technology area includes: national systems of innovation; knowledge economy, and technology transfer. National health conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean, epidemiological changes, risk factors and their social determinants; health and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); health sector structure and performance; lessons learned from Bank projects; IDB priority interventions in health, monitoring and evaluation issues.

Registration Form

Preliminary Agenda

Thursday, September 18

Reforming Government in Latin America and the Caribbean: Modernization of the State and Security

IDB Headquarters, Washington, DC

Topics include: Pivotal IDB support for modernization and reform of the state, the strengthening of civil society in the region and improving environments for integration and competitiveness. Principal areas include: institutional capacity of the State (justice and citizen security, anti-corruption strategies, and ProDev, a program supporting results-based management); fiscal and municipal management (fiscal policies; decentralization and intergovernmental fiscal relations, management of subnational governments, territorial development, urban development and local competitiveness, and lending for subnational investment projects); and capital markets and financial sector projects (micro, small and medium enterprise, private sector intermediation and establishment of financial systems; non-sovereign guarantee operations, and public sector financial risk management).

Registration Form

Tuesday, October 14

Financial Markets Development in Latin America & the Caribbean

IDB Headquarters, Washington, DC

Topics include: Detailed look at the financial products of the Structured and Corporate Finance Department and the Inter-American Investment Corporation, including loans , credit guarantees and local currency financing aimed at helping to expand local capital markets. Discussion of the Regional Trade Finance Facilitation Program. Background on the Latin American debt market. Risk assessment and mitigation. Discussion of rating agencies and the current evaluation of credit enhancements by Multilateral Agencies, with comments by rating agencies and other parties related to the local capital markets (such as institutional investors and investment banks). Discussion of mortgage-backed securities, both local and international placement. Case studies will be presented by staff of the private sector windows of the IDB Group and private firms presenting examples of various financial instruments and projects.

Registration Form

Preliminary Agenda

Thursday & Friday, November 13 - 14

Procurement Workshop: Hands-on Guide to Doing Business with the IDB

IDB Headquarters, Washington, DC

Topics include: In-depth look at the IDB’s procurement and consulting procedures, with training by the Procurement Division, guidance on how to bid on IDB-financed contracts for goods, equipment, works and consulting services; procurement of consulting services for due diligence in private sector projects; the roles of the IDB Country Offices and executing agencies in the procurement process, with presentation by representatives from our member countries; tips from firms that have participated in IDB procurement (finding local partners, tracking projects, recourse options, etc.); anti-corruption initiatives and “red flags” in procurement; and case studies (taking projects from early development through final execution stages and evaluation, and explaining how firms can stay informed at each stage). Excellent opportunities to network with project team leaders.

Case studies will be presented on the second day by IDB Group Staff.

Registration Form