Fiji, May 14 -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has introduced a merit points criteria to enhance its procurement system for major projects in the Pacific.

ADB's Director General for the Pacific Department, Emma Veve told PACNEWS the merit points criteria are now built into all of the Bank's procurement processes across the Pacific.

"Last year all of the contracts valued above USD$10 million are using the merit points. Companies are not only assessed on their bid price but a set of criteria - things like, is the company in a joint venture with a local firm, is it building labour skills in country and other things, Veve told PACNEWS in Milan at the ADB's Annual Meeting last week.

A merit points procurement system uses a scoring system ...