The briefing included an overview of the Bank's mission, activities, members, structure, and lending record; the sectors in which the Bank is presently lending, and the Bank's project development and approval cycle and procurement and contracting procedures.

In one panel, representatives from several companies that have worked on IDB-financed projects shared their experiences. "It's not rocket science," observed Jim Padilla, an associate at White & Case, a Miami law firm that has won several consulting contracts to provide advisory services for IDB-financed projects. "You just have to do your homework."

Cal López, Latin American sales director for Cooper Power Systems, said businesses need to start tracking the projects they're interested in through IDB Projects, the Bank's monthly procurement magazine, as early as possible. He also suggested that interested companies introduce themselves and their capabilities to the project executing agencies in the field.

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Information on upcoming business seminars can be found on the Bank's web site, www.iadb.org.