MANILA, PHILIPPINES (16 September 2025) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today announced that beginning 1 January 2026, all internationally advertised contracts financed by the bank will be evaluated using merit point criteria (MPC). This landmark reform is part of a procurement approach that strengthens ADB’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and value for money in its projects, while also introducing broader changes to create more local jobs and increase early engagement with suppliers across Asia and the Pacific.

MPC applies weighted scoring to factors such as quality, experience, technical capability, and innovation, together with proposals to increase local participation and safeguard the environment. This ensures that contracts are awarded to bidders capable of delivering sustainable results and long-term development impact.