On Thursday 12 March, Development Minister Bert Koenders and Minister for Foreign Trade Frank Heemskerk, launched the Development related Infrastructure Facility (ORIO).  During the launch, Mr. Koenders announced that he was raising the budget for the facility to Euro 180 million in 2009.

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ORIO is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Private Sector Development Programme.  It was developed in close partnership with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the business community.  "I have every confidence that the international business community, and most certainly Dutch business, will make the new facility a success", said Mr. Koenders in the speech he gave at the launch.

Poor or non-existent infrastructure is an obstacle to economic growth in many developing countries.  Yet economic growth is an important condition for reducing poverty.  ORIO was developed in response to this.  The facility is geared to the development, construction and exploitation of public infrastructure in developing countries.

ORIO targets the sectors in which Dutch companies lead the international field with their knowledge and experience.  Mr. Koenders pointed out that it was important for the Dutch economy to contribute to sustainability and development, since that is where it has the edge.  Both Mr. Koenders and Mr. Heemskerk hope that ORIO will encourage Dutch companies to become involved in promoting private sector development in developing countries.

"The new ORIO facility is an essential element of our new approach to development co-operation", said Mr. Koenders.  He went on to say that ORIO was untied, and its aim was development with the clear involvement of the recipient country.  But at the same time, it also took account of Dutch companies' strenghts. 

Demand from developing countries plays a central role in ORIO.  The sectors chosen in each country reflect the Netherlands' relative strenghts.  The best price/quality ratio is the decisive factor in selecting the parties to implement projects, so price is not decisive.  That gives the Dutch business community a fair chance of being awarded projects on the basis of quality.

Mr. Heemskerk said that thanks to ORIO Dutch companies will be more closely involved in improving the infrastructure in developing countries.  Dutch entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to use their knowledge and expertise in the field of water management, health care, transport and energy to improve the lives of people in developing countries.

 

THE FIRST ORIO CALL FOR PROPOSALS 2009 IS NOW OPEN AND CLOSES ON 15 MAY 2009, 17.00 CET.

For information  www.orio.nl

or contact

Job P. Kleijn, First Secretary

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sana'a, Yemen

Tel.: +967 1 421 800, Fax: +967 1 421 035

Email:  job.kleijn@minbuza.nl