Tender Advertisement #1450450

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (Open tender)
SHORT-TERM CONSULTANCY FOR DRAFTING OF SOLOMON ISLANDS NATIONAL EXPORT POLICY

Background
For Solomon Islands, the largest export commodities are timber, gold, and fish. Timber and fish exports have been merchandised for a long time compared to gold which is relatively a new export merchandise. Additionally, logging comprises 60% of exports, 15% of government revenue and 32% of foreign exchange earnings, it is also the largest source of formal employment alongside the government, providing approximately 5,000 jobs.
Almost all exports are in raw format or unprocessed, thus the recognition under the Trade Policy Framework to include value addition as an integral part of Solomon Islands economy, which underscores the importance of fastracking the development and subsequent implementation of an Industrialization Strategy
By country, China is Solomon Islands’ top export partner, followed by Australia at 16.7%. Imports are more diversified, with the greatest trends being increased imports from Singapore and developing Asia in the past 15-20 years thus making Singapore account for approximately 26.9% of all imports which comprise mostly re-exported products originating from outside Singapore including items such as mineral fuels, while developing Asia accounts for 29% and Australia 25.5%.
Like all other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Solomon Islands still suffers from supply side constraints to enable sufficient export quantities and consistency to international markets, attributed to responding global economic changes and lack of diversification, a problem that can be resolved through a robust Export Development Strategy that describes how best to improve the country’s ability to export.
It is against this that the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) under the EU- SPIRIT Programme will be assisting the Government of Solomon Islands through the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET), to develop its National Export Policy (NEP).
The NEP development process will involve measuring the extent to which the objectives of Solomon Islands Trade Policy Framework have been realized by collating information from various selected stakeholders, which information will be helpful in shaping the NEDP. Consequently, the NEP will enable exporters or export-ready firms access assistance to increase exports in regional and international markets, through a proper assessment of the entire supply chains for proposed products and services under the NEP.
Working closely with the private sector, the MCIL will be the focal institution in the development of the NEP, drawing expertise from across the government and private sector. The NEP aims to ensure that the government of Solomon Islands has the right financial, practical, and promotional support in place to allow the private sector to benefit from growth opportunities through improved and increased market access.
MCILI will work closely with the private sector, industry(ies), trade associations and relevant government agencies and departments to:
• Assess the challenges faced by different firms/ enterprises at each stage of export.
• Identify specific sectors where MCILI support can add value.
• Map what improvements can be achieved within existing and projected budgets.
• Develop an Export Development Support Finance Plan.
In the Pacific Regional Integration Support Programme (PRISE) of the 11th European Development Fund (11th EDF), component 1.3 on Strengthening Pacific Intra-Regional and International Trade (SPIRIT) is being implemented by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) as the Pillar Assessed Entity (PAE).
The Specific Objective of SPIRIT is to strengthen Pacific Intra-Regional and International Trade, and this will be achieved through a coherent, multi-track engagement process at the national, sub-regional and regional levels.
Purpose
The purpose of this contract is to Execute the development/ drafting of the NEP in line with the objectives given. The development will be done following the criteria of relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability, and impact.
Scope of Work
The Consultant will deliver the following:
• Key Result Area 1 (KRA1): Prepare and submit an Inception Report of a maximum of 7 pages within four business days after the inception meeting based on the clarifications provided, including a detailed timetable for implementing the Contract.

• Key Result Area 2 (KRA2): Report on gap analysis on the state-of-play of Solomon Islands legal framework and Institutional Framework that are needed to develop a comprehensive National Export Policy. It must include detailed recommendations on priority areas to be incorporated.
• Key Result Area 3 (KRA3): Report on key areas covered during national consultations and outcomes. It must include a draft and proposed Institutional framework.
• Key Result Area 4 (KRA4): A Draft National Export Policy Framework including a draft Cabinet Paper or equivalent, seeking policy approval for the proposed Drafting of the National Export Policy Framework that will facilitate Solomon Islands implementation of the IEPA.
• Key Result Area 5 (KRA5): Deliver a presentation to the Government of Solomon Islands on the findings and recommendations.
• Key Result Area 6 (KRA6): A Final Draft National Export Policy Framework outlining the key deliverables, key objectives, Institutional Framework recommendations on way forward and risk analysis no later than seven days before the conclusion of the assignment. The Final Draft shall contain a sufficiently detailed description of the activities undertaken under the consultancy.
Academic Qualifications
The Consultant shall be an Expert in International Trade and Development with at least eight (8) years of experience and should possess the following qualifications and experience:
a) Master or Postgraduate degree in trade law, International trade, public policy, or a related field;
b) At least eight years of professional experience as a trade consultant or similar role;
c) Expert knowledge of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreements, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and knowledge and understanding of the PICTA and PACER Plus trade agreements;
d) Ability to analyse trade policy recommendations and how they relate to national strategic development plans and other sectoral economic policies, strategies, and programs (focusing on their relevance, effectiveness, governance, impact on overall economic development, and sustainability) to identify gaps/areas that need to be re-examined; and
e) Ability to conduct a general analysis of main economic sectors and identify new/future opportunities and the most appropriate trade policy measures and strategies to advance them to foster industrialization and integration into global/regional value chains.

HOW TO APPLY

Submissions should be entitled:
[OPEN TENDER] – [SHORT-TERM CONSULTANCY FOR DRAFTING OF SOLOMON ISLANDS NATIONAL EXPORT POLICY]
Method of Submissions:
Submissions must be forwarded in PDF format following the instructions at www.tenders.net/forumsec
Note: Tenders must be submitted with clear labelling of the technical offer and the financial offer. The Technical Offer documents must be saved and submitted clearly labelled “A. Technical Offer”. Financial Offer documents must be saved and submitted clearly labelled “B. Financial Offer”.
The electronically submitted documents should be converted to the PDF format.
Deadline for Submissions:
Submissions need to reach the Secretariat by 4.00pm, Friday, 31 May 2024
Late or incomplete tenders will not be considered.
Questions and Answers
All queries or request for information must be submitted via the Question and Answer Forum at www.tenders.net/forumsec . Tenderers may submit questions in writing to the mentioned Question and Answer Forum before the stated “deadline for requesting clarifications” Friday, 24 May, 2024 The Secretariat has no obligation to provide clarification after this date.
Note: The Secretariat will not be responsible for non-receipt/non-delivery of the Bid documents due to any reason whatsoever.

Any complaints regarding the Secretariat’s tender must be directed to the following email: Tender.Complaints@forumsec.org. This email address will forward your complaint to a person that is independent and removed from the tender process. Complaints must be well founded and should not be used as a mechanism for notifying displeasure with the outcome of a tender award. Further information on making a complaint can be found on the Policies & Information page at http://tenders.forumsec.org.
In the event that further information is required by the Secretariat in relation to the tender for consultancy, the Secretariat reserves the right to seek the required information without the need for calling for resubmission of proposals.