Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank whose mission is Financing Infrastructure for Tomorrow in Asia and beyond- infrastructure with sustainability at its core. The AIIB began operations in Beijing in 2016 and has since grown to 110 approved members worldwide. It is capitalized at USD$100 billion and AAA-rated by major international credit rating agencies. Collaborating with its partners, AIIB meets clients' needs by unlocking new capital and investing in infrastructure that is green, technology-enabled and promotes regional connectivity.

Canada joined the AIIB in 2018. Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced in June 2023, and reiterated in December 2023 that Canada is currently reviewing its engagement with the AIIB, and therefore, Canada's participation has been indefinitely suspended.

Procurement processes

AIIB does not have country strategies for its members. AIIB's project approval is guided by its strategic goals and thematic priorities :

• green infrastructure,
• connectivity and regional cooperation,
• technology-enabled infrastructure and
• private capital mobilization.

Companies should refer to the AIIB project pipeline on its website to identify projects of interest. Each project page provides links to the Project Summary, Project Document (for approved ones) as well as Procurement Documents, such as General Procurement Notice, Specific Procurement Notices, Contract Awards, etc.

AIIB's Procurement Policy is aligned to other multilateral development bank procurement guidelines and rules. It aims to support Recipients to achieve the successful implementation of AIIB-financed projects through efficient, fair, ethical and transparent procurement processes that optimize both value-for-money and social and environmental sustainability.

International open competitive tendering is the preferred method of procurement to be followed under an AIIB-financed project. Other methods may be applied, provided the Recipient demonstrates to the AIIB's satisfaction that the proposed method adequately reflects the requirements of the Core Procurement Principles.

The Recipient is responsible for implementing the project, including all aspects of the procurement process from the design, tendering and planning stage through to contract award and supervision of contract implementation. The AIIB may advise and assist a Recipient during the procurement process for a specific project but does not prepare designs or assist in negotiations, nor is it a party to any resulting contracts. The AIIB satisfies itself through its own reviews or other oversight modalities, that the procurement process, including procurement procedures, documents, evaluations, award recommendations and contracts, are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Procurement Policy and the financing agreement.

Project procurement: Consulting services, goods and works

Recipients of AIIB financing may engage individual consultants and consulting firms mostly at the planning stage but also during implementation (e.g. project management, project supervision and monitoring, due diligence, feasibility studies, environment & social impact assessment and other consultancy services). Recipients of AIIB financing require goods and works at the Implementation Stage. Eligibility to participate in AIIB financed project tenders is open to suppliers, contractors and consultants worldwide.

Project procurement opportunities are published on AIIB's Project Procurement Opportunities page. Consulting assignments and positions for individual consultants can be found on AIIB's Individual Consultant Portal.

More information can be found in AIIB's Procurement Policy (PDF format) and its associated Directive on Procurement Instructions for Recipients (PDF format).

Special funds resources

The AIIB has multiple Special Funds that serve different purposes, including identification and preparation of high quality bankable projects, capacity building, information sharing, and making AIIB loans more affordable through interest buy down grants. Special Funds available for use by AIIB's less developed members are:

• Project Preparation Special Fund (PPSF),
• Special Fund Window for Less Developed Members (SFW),
• Global Infrastructure Facility Special Fund (GIF),
• Pandemic Fund (PF) and
• Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF) Special Fund.

AIIB Approved Special Fund Grants also provides procurement opportunities.

Corporate procurement

The Corporate Procurement Policy (PDF format) governs the procurement process of all goods, works and services including consulting services required for the operation of the AIIB's headquarters. Open competitive tendering following the best international practices is the normal method for corporate procurement while less competitive methods may be considered in exceptional cases as described in the Policy. The AIIB may procure goods, works, general services and consulting services from any country unless AIIB's Board of Directors decides otherwise. Procurement notices and information on goods, works and services are posted on AIIB's Corporate procurement opportunities website.

Private sector financing procurement

The AIIB satisfies itself that the Private Entity Recipient uses appropriate procurement methods that ensure a sound selection of goods and services at fair market prices and that its capital investments are made in a cost-effective manner. Where the AIIB is providing financing for a project involving a Private Entity operator, or concessionaire, of a public concession, the Recipient follows tendering procedures acceptable to the Bank in the selection of the concessionaire and of contracts procured by the concessionaire.

Frequently asked questions

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