NEWS

 Scientific Information Services (SIS) Ltd  has expanded and improved the range of services that it supplies.

I. Summaries of Available Funding.

In 2005 commenced its second research project on International Financing Institution (IFI) funding for Caribbean development projects.  The IFIs' have increased the quantity and range of information that is freely available on their websites.  This is available by country which means to get an overview of the Caribbean takes significant effort.  The first part of this project is summarising the data available from each IFI on funds available for disbursement from 2005 onwards.  The Data page will contain this information as it is prepared.

II. New Site Content

In 2004 the flow of information from the IFI on projects meant that SIS doubled the time spent tracking information through them.  The major changes have been the addition of:

A. World Bank Consultancies

Amongst the significant changes in 2005 has been that the World Bank now posts requests for its consulting needs on its websites.  The funds from approved projects are in general administered by the borrowing country's personnel.  However each IFI does have consulting opportunities particularly in the identification stage of a project etc.  Few people have known about them unless they have had close links with the IFI desk officers.  The World Bank has made its selection more transparent by publishing them on its website

B. IDB Procurement Plans

IDB changed its website significantly in 2004.  For example, it contains procurement plans for projects making it easier for consultants to plan.  SIS checks this on a daily basis to ensure that it will keep abreast of any changes. 

C. Changes to the SIS Website.

The format of the site has been changed so that it has frames which it is hoped will make it easier to navigate.  In addition all the 2005 notices identify the country.  The summary is as brief as possible so that the number of projects that can be seen at a time has increased.  Since the notice rarely specifies a cost that column has been eliminated.

III. Marketing Services.

SIS has appointed a new Marketing Manager, Hazel Scotland, who will be based in London.  This is part of its thrust to expand the services it supplies to consultants (individuals and companies) based in the UK and Europe.  A major area of concentration will be the services required by suppliers of goods and works.