Untapped potential at ADB for Nordic firms
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) procured goods and consultancy services worth more than USD 3.5 billion in 1993, a large part of this in areas where Nordic firms have technology and expertise.
However, Nordic-based companies secured just 12 contracts worth USD 44 million in 1993, compared with 612 won by Bangladeshi firms and 2,007 by Indonesian firms. Many believe there is a huge untapped potential for Nordic consultants and suppliers to increase their share of the ADB pie. (See DT 8/94)
Swedish and Danish companies fare best among the Nordics, while Norwegian and Finnish firms are often viewed as being unprofessional in their dealings with the Asian bank. On the other hand, the ADB market is expensive to approach and difficult to penetrate. Companies like Carl Bro, Swedpower and Norconsult carry away the lion’s share of the Nordic ADB contracts.