DAR GMBH, Germany
Phare - Supervision of Vlore Water Supply Emergency Works
Albania
EURO 273,896

IGN FRANCE INTERNATIONAL, France
Phare - Aerial Photography and Copying
Albania
EURO 159,000

MOTT MACDONALD LIMITED, United Kingdom in association with: Arcadis Euroconsult B.V. (Netherlands), Electricit�� de France (France), and MNT Consulting (UK)
Tacis - Aral Sea - Support for Regional Water Management and Strengthening the Capacity of Basin Water Organizations for Improved Resource Planning
Kazakhstan, Kyrghistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
EURO 2,054,914

SAFEGE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, France
Phare - Final Design, Preparation of Tender Documentation and Supervision of Construction of Gjirokaster Water Supply Emergency Works
Albania
EURO 499,834

WSP INTERNATIONAL, Switzerland
Ispa - Siauliai Region Waste Management System Development Project
Lithuania
EURO 594,000


ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACTS AWARDED OVER US$ 100,000, September 5 - October 2, 2003

ASSOCIATION OF CANADIAN COMMUNITY COLLEGES, Canada in association with: Green Tech Consultants (Pvt) Ltd (Sri Lanka)
Human Resource Investment
Sri Lanka
US$ 563,000

CHREOD LTD., Canada in association with: Shanghai Development Research Center (China)
Hebei Provincial Development Strategy
China
US$ 258,000

DEVELOPPEMENT INTERNATIONAL DESJARDINS, Canada in association with: Donaev Management Consulting (Uzbekistan)
Developing Prudential Regulation and Supervision of Savings and Credit Unions
Uzbekistan
US$ 394,000

HALCROW WATER/ENVIRONMENT DIVISION, United Kingdom in association with: DHI Water & Environment (Denmark), Engineering and Planning Consultants Ltd. (Bangladesh), Kranti Associates Limited (Bangladesh) and Halcrow Bangladesh Ltd (Bangladesh)
Southwest Area Integrated Water Resources Management
Bangladesh
US$ 793,000

HATFIELD CONSULTANTS LTD., Canada in association with: Hatfindo Prima, PT. (Indonesia)
Capacity Building for Decentralized Natural Resources Management
Indonesia
US$ 693,000

HOPE INTERNATIONAL, United Kingdom
Road Employment Project for Settlement and Integration of Returning Refugees and Displaced
Afghanistan
US$ 675,000

HYDROSULT INC., Canada in association with: DHI Water & Environment (Denmark) and General Institute of Water Resources Hydropower (China)
Study of the Carrying Capacity of Water Resources
China
US$ 584,000

INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES GROUP, United States in association with: Center for Chinese Agricultural (China)
Sanjiang Plains Wetland Protection Project
China
US$ 565,000

JOHN SNOW, INCORPORATED, United States
Woman and Child Health Development
Uzbekistan
US$ 450,000

KLOHN-CRIPPEN CONSULTANTS LTD., Canada in association with: Hydrosult Inc. (Canada)
Secondary Towns Integrated Flood Protection II
Bangladesh
US$ 529,000

MCKAY SHIPPING LIMITED, New Zealand
Improving the Delivery of Sea and Air Transport Services
Republic of the Marshall Islands
US$ 225,000

NATIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES PAKISTAN PVT LTD., Pakistan
Rawalpindi Environmental Improvement
Pakistan
US$ 258,000

PACIFIC CONSULTANTS INTERNATIONAL-URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, Japan
Monitoring System for Capacity Building
Indonesia
US$ 1,047,000

SCHLUMBERGER SEMA, Belgium in association with: MNT Consulting (Kygryz Republic)
Customs Modernization and Infrastructure Development
Tajikistan
US$ 357,000

SOFREGAZ, France in association with: Energy Markets Limited (United Kingdom)
Energy Sector Review and Gas Development Master Plan
Afghanistan
US$ 875,000


USAID CONTRACTS AWARDED, September 5 - October 2, 2003

PLEASE NOTE: PRESENTLY, USAID DOES NOT POST COMPREHENSIVE AND TIMELY CONTRACT AWARD INFORMATION ON ITS WEBSITE. NUMEROUS PARTIES HAVE INFORMED THE AGENCY OF THIS, AND ONCE THIS PROBLEM IS RECIFIED WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE BETTER COVERAGE OF USAID CONTRACT AWARDS.

BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER FOR INTRENATIONAL HEALTH & DEVELOPMENT, United States
Global Health Harp Program - Country Research Activity
United States
US$ 15,014,571

CREATIVE ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL INC, United States
Albania Umbrella Anti-Trafficking Initiative
Albania
US$ 4,482,987

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, United States
Global Health Harp Program - Global Research Activity
United States
US$ 37,000,000

MANAGEMENT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH, United States
Health Enhancing Local Partnerships - Local Government Units
Philippines
US$ 40,763,927

TETRA TECH EM INC, United States
Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest
Philippines
US$ 8,860,476


Leader Profile: Simon Bland, Head of DFID Russia and Ukraine

Despite the break up of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation remains the largest country in the world. For a range of reasons the DFID development program implemented there is quite different from others around the world. Heading this office, Simon Bland's work covers a wide range of sectors.

Globally DFID has the primary objective of poverty reduction and contributing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Russia's poverty reduction strategies are unlike many pursued in other countries in which DFID works because of the country's unique history, and it's middle-income status. "We look at the social costs of transition and merge this with our global experience, knowledge and support". Explained Simon Bland, "the agenda is based firmly in a program unique to Russia". Since July 2003, following an agency-wide process of decentralization, the DFID Russia office has enjoyed devolved power. "We feel quite strongly that power relations should not be donors dictating to borrowers. We have a high reliance on Russian staff here in Moscow and in the office in St Petersburg. They understand the cultural aspects, and economic and political context of what we are trying to do. We try to blend our own experience with theirs". Simon told us, adding, "My role is to head up the office and get the best out of our UK-based and national staff in Moscow, St Petersburg and the Ukraine office based in Kiev. These are the staff responsible for developing our strategy. We now have much greater autonomy and my role is to manage our resources (money, people and ideas), to have the maximum positive impact, to learn lessons and ensure full accountability to UK taxpayer".

DFID is questioning its support to middle-income countries, given that there are so many desperately poor countries throughout the world and it has committed itself to achieving allocation of 90% of its resources in Low Income Countries. Simon is convinced that the benefits of providing assistance to Russia are worthwhile. "Though it is a middle income country, there are significant numbers of poor within Russia. It is important that we continue to support Russia's transition to a market economy. Having a democratic and prosperous Russia will have a positive impact on the region and the world. But the reform agenda here will take time. There are risks but these are well known and not uncommon. We currently support Russia's efforts in public administrative and judicial reform, WTO accession, social assistance and HIV/AIDS prevention. We work with the federal government with two focus regional governments and with civil society organizations".

A graduate in Fisheries Science from the University of Plymouth in the UK, the study of more tropical species led Simon to be interested in more global issues of natural resource management and international development. He worked with the organization Voluntary Services Overseas in Papua New Guinea for three years before taking post-graduate diplomas in fisheries and economics, and then a Masters degree in economics from Portsmouth University in the UK. "I think the desire to travel and see more of the world and understand how others live influenced my decision to go overseas initially. Going to other countries where I saw people living and coping in extremely difficult circumstances, with incredible resolve and good humor was fascinating." Simon said. "I was attracted to this work not necessarily by altruism, but because I think a more equitable world makes good sense. I enjoy finding out what makes different people tick. They don't want charity but the ability to earn a living; this is where development assistance can play a role. My work is enormously interesting. It varies every day. I feel very privileged to have this job."

Simon's immediate future plans are focused on Russia, where he looks forward to consolidating the devolution of operations and drawing up a new strategy after the forthcoming elections in the country. He told us, "Beyond that, I would like to continue managing overseas operations within DFID, I would like to stay at this senior level overseas for a few years. Then maybe move back to the UK in another position in England or Scotland".

Conference Spotlight: Reconstructing Iraq

The Reconstructing Iraq conference will be held at One Whitehall Place, London, United Kingdom on the 27 - 28 October 2003. Organized by the SMI Group and sponsored by a range of companies, including Ernest and Young and Applied Satellite Technology, the event should appeal to anyone interested in bidding for reconstruction work within Iraq.

The aim of the conference is to provide information and knowledge on how to win contracts in Iraq. It will focus on the current situation and medium-term projects, particularly those relating to supporting energy, infrastructure, transport and telecoms. In addition to the conference there will be two associated half-day interactive Executive Briefings entitled Preparing for tendering in Iraq and Gaining Construction Contracts in Iraq.

The conference pledges to provide:
- Insight and information from key reconstruction leaders.
- Evaluation of the value of reconstruction contracts.
- Information on optimizing opportunities to rebuild the physical and social infrastructure of New Iraq.
- Current knowledge of Iraq's oil industry.
- Appraisal of potential difficulties and solutions.
- Profile raising strategies for companies.
- Key networking opportunities.

Registration costs from GB�� 699 for one day and GB�� 1,099 for 2 days. The half-day Executive Briefings cost GB�� 499, with a GB�� 100 discount if booked with the full conference. Registration is available at: http://www.smi-online.co.uk/store/basket_add.asp?mt=13&mst=1&ref=1467.

Further information is available from the SMI Group. Tel: +44.20.7827.6000. Fax: +44.20.7827.6001. Email: production@smi-online.co.uk. Or look at the website: http://www.smi-online.co.uk/events/overview.asp?is=8&id=1467.

Behind the News: Rice Extension in Western Africa

The African Development Bank has signed an agreement with 7 West African countries to finance a rice extension project. It is hoped that the project will reduce poverty levels and raise food security within participating countries by improving access to high yielding NERICA upland rice varieties.

The multinational New Rice for Africa (NERICA) rice dissemination loan will support a US$ 30.29 million project operated in Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Its four components - technology transfer, production support, capacity building and project coordination - will all be concentrated on raising rice production levels and enhancing import substitution. Speaking at the loan signing ceremony on the 26 September, which was attended by the Ministers of Finance from the 7 countries involved, Mr Olabisi Ogunjobi, Vice-President of the African Development Bank in charge of West and Central Operations Region, stated that the region currently spends over US$ 1 billion a year on importing rice, a drain on resources that could be used for wider development and poverty reduction in the region. Figures from the African Development Bank estimate that US$ 100 million should be saved in importing rice.

The project will focus on upland areas, where farmers tend to use low-yield variety rice. Around 40% of the 4.1 million hectares of rice grown in West Africa is grown in upland areas. 33,000 rice farming households will be involved in the participatory variety selection (PVS), and 241,000 families in the project area. 80% of the funding will be specifically aimed at poor groups and women. The project will support the transfer West African Rice Development Association (WARDA) rice varieties to the seven participating countries. The NERICA project was established to try to blend the ruggedness of African rice varieties with the high yield characteristics of Asian varieties. The resulting variety could have a dramatic affect on families in the region. Dr Kanayo F Nwanze, director general of the WARDA, stated, "Ironically, rice was considered a luxury food in West Africa only two decades ago. Today, it's the staple". All 7 of the countries involved in this project are members of WARDA, which has its headquarters in Cote d'Ivoire.

African Development Bank details of the project can be found at: http://www.afdb.org/knowledge/pressreleases2003/adf_76_2003e.htm.

Information on WARDA can be found at: http://www.warda.cgiar.org.