The document summarizes Graham Poon's presentation on pursuing opportunities in the aid/development market. It discusses what aid is, the advantages of engaging in aid projects such as monetary rewards and reputation benefits. However, it also notes the challenges, which include high competition, resource intensity of starting out, and difficulties working in developing countries. The presentation provides advice on how to get engaged in aid by determining core capabilities, researching opportunities, being prepared to partner or subcontract, and joining organizations like TropLinks for assistance. Specific opportunities mentioned include AusAID programs, philanthropic work, volunteering, and working with groups like the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and contractors.

1. TropLinks International Symposium
The Aid/Development Market
Graham Poon
TropLinks Inc
CEO
August 23, 2010

2. Topics
• What is “Aid/Development”?
• Why pursue aid projects?
• The Challenges
• How to get engaged
• Opportunities
• Where to from here

3. What is “AID”?
• Developed countries helping developing
countries
• The core aim is POVERTY REDUCTION
• Aid can be Bilateral (AusAID, NZAID) or
Multilateral (ADB, WB)
• Australia’s presence mainly in Asia Pacific
• Why should Australia help?

4. Advantages of engaging in
aid projects
• Monetary rewards: you will get paid!
• Projects are defined: Excellent way to enter
new market (and not only aid)
• Working with o’s Govt. officials builds
relationships more easily
• Enhances your reputation in country
• Staff development and work satisfaction
• You are helping less advantaged

5. The Challenges
• Highly competitive: battling the world
• Starting (especially) is resource intensive in
time and money- research, tracking, travel
and writing of tenders, relationship building
• Work in a developing country can be
challenging: corruption, gender issues,
physical safety, weather conditions
• Can have a long lead time

6. HOW TO GET ENGAGED IN
AID
• Work out your CORE capability: agencies want a
specialist
• Research opportunities (websites later)
• Be prepared to visit aid agencies, Govt agencies
handling projects (Executing agency), AMC’s
• Be prepared to partner or sub-contract. May be
overseas.
• Tender writing: Answer the questions! Remain
focussed in your responses
• Work out who you are dealing with: TA, Loan,
Programme Manager

7. OPPORTUNITIES
• AusAID Programmes managed by AMC’s-see their
websites
• Philanthropic
• Volunteer: can help build your CV/experience (AVI)
• Asian Development Bank: adb.org
• AusAID: ausaid.gov.au
• UNDP
• World Bank: worldbank.org
• AMC’s or experienced contractors: JTA, GRM,
SMEC, SAGRIC, UniQuest, QUT

8. WHERE TO FROM HERE
• Do your research
• Partner with local businesses
• Visit AMC’s / Register with AMC’s through
their websites e.g. GRM, SAGRIC
• Join planned delegations or visit the market
• Join TropLinks!

9. TropLinks Member Services
• Coaching and advice
• Opportunity Identification
• Partner Identification for projects and alliances
(local & international)
• Assistance with formulation of tender
• Organisation of Trade Missions
• Newsletter with opportunities and information,
how-to’s
• Interactive and confidential project website
• Project Management Role

10. TropLinks Projects
Where we have pursued projects (not all aid)
• PNG
• Philippines
• Libya
• C.A.R.’s
• Japan
• Kiribati
• Guam
• Fiji
• Seychelles

11. www.troplinks.com
Graham Poon, CEO
+61 (0)448 951 454
graham.poon@troplinks.com
Jenny Compton, Office Manager
+61(0)410 536 269
jenny.compton@troplinks.com
TropLinks Office
Phone: (+617) 4041 0955
Fax: (+617) 4041 0633
212 McLeod St, Cairns, Queensland, Australia 4870