Discusses the state of direct marketing and what channels are available for companies to use direct marketing.

Direct marketing is not a viable means of engaging directly in IDB Group funded projects. Whether project procurement for performance of public works projects, or corporate procurement for consulting/advisory services, procurements are initiated with the issuance of public tenders and are run through the competitive bidding process. Unsolicited proposals and offers are not considered. Private sector activities in partnership with IDB Invest involve investments rather than procurements. Investment decisions are based on a long and exhaustive consultative process involving a high degree of collaboration among stakeholders to demonstrate, among other things, in-country capabilities and commitment. This favors firms able to conduct more traditional face-to-face networking and business development activities. IDB Invest and in-country stakeholders alike are often circumspect and unresponsive to unsolicited approaches from afar.

Indirectly, however, the direct marketing channel might apply in approaching contractors with a history of conducting IDB funded projects. Identifying these contractors is a challenge, usually requiring scouring the IDB website and other public records for historical data on past contract awards (privacy rules prohibit disclosure of information on bidders on active competitions).
mance of public works projects, or corporate procurement for consulting/advisory services, procurements are initiated with the issuance of public tenders and are run through the competitive bidding process. Unsolicited proposals and offers are not considered. Private sector activities in partnership with IIC involve investments rather than procurements. Investment decisions are based on a long and exhaustive consultative process involving a high degree of collaboration among stakeholders to demonstrate, among other things, in-country capabilities and commitment. This favors firms able to conduct more traditional face-to-face networking and business development activities. IIC and in-country stakeholders alike are often circumspect and unresponsive to unsolicited approaches from afar.

Indirectly, however, the direct marketing channel might apply in approaching contractors with a history of conducting IDB funded projects. Identifying these contractors is a challenge, usually requiring scouring the IDB website and other public records for historical data on past contract awards (privacy rules prohibit disclosure of information on bidders on active competitions).

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.