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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (Open Tender)

SHORT-TERM CONSULTANCY TO DEVELOP REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEROGATION TO THE STANDARD RULES OF ORIGIN GRANTED TO THE SOLOMON ISLANDS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE INTERIM ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Background

The Interim Pacific EPA(I-EPA) includes a relaxation of the Rules of Origin (RoO) for fisheries products of the HS headings 1604 and 1605 which enables a Party to the agreement to source fish from vessels flagged, registered and owned in third countries, process them onshore and export the products to the EU markets duty free. The RoO is commonly referred to as the Global Sourcing Rule. The provisions on special rules of origin were already included in the Market Access Regulation 152/2007 of 20 December 2007 applicable since 2008.

With one of the world’s largest and most plentiful fishing grounds, Solomon Islands relies on the tuna in its waters for revenue, food security and exports. Revenue from tuna accounts for about 18 percent of the country’s GDP. However, Solomon Islands has not developed a national fleet therefore relying to a major extent, on raw material supplies from third countries' vessels operating in Solomon Islands waters, Solomon Exclusive Economic Zone and in the Western and Central Pacific more in general. Furthermore, a significant number of foreign fishing vessels are licensed to fish in the Solomon Islands Exclusive Economic Zone. and international trade leading to lifting the people of Tuvalu out of poverty, promoting women’s economic empowerment, improving rural livelihoods, and promoting sustainable and inclusive development in the medium to long-term.

Article 6.6 (c) of Protocol II of the iEPA stipulates that a report on the implementation of the special rules of origin granted in the framework of the iEPA with Pacific countries is due three years after the notification of the use of the derogation by the Pacific country concerned, i.e., 2020, even if the actual use by the private sector in Solomon Islands could have started at a later stage. The purpose of the report is to allow the Parties to the Agreement (Solomon Islands and the EU) to assess the utilization of the derogation provisions, considering its development effects and the effective conservation and sustainable management of the resources and whether it would be appropriate to amend the provisions.

Purpose

The purpose of the short-term consultancy is:

 Provide an evaluation of the implementation of the described derogation and to what extent it is achieving the intended objectives.

Scope of Work

The Consultant will deliver the following Key Result Areas (KRAs):

i) The consultant shall assess the impact of the derogation to the rules of origin in Solomon Islands in terms of development of the country, including the generation of revenue, investment, governance, local employment, and impact on local communities:
 Make a detailed analysis of the conditions concerning income and employment (including the application of internationally recognized labour rights) prior to implementation of the derogation and following its introduction.
 Assess whether the development effects foreseen in the agreement have materialized and to what extent they may occur.
 Analyze the impact on Solomon Islands of the derogation in terms of fulfilment of the development objectives and assessment of objectives yet to be achieved. This would include, but not be limited to, improvement in working and social conditions, and whether the derogation has the potential to contribute to better living conditions for the local population (number of jobs created, including for women, impact on the development of the local economy).

ii) The consultant shall analyze the management of fish resources in the region:
• The relationship between the use of the derogation included in the interim agreement and the effective conservation and sustainable management of the fish resources in the region, and its possible impact. Compliance of the processing industry and local authorities with the requirements of the IUU Regulation, with an emphasis on the potential sourcing of IUU fish or fish that does not come from a country that complies with IUU Regulation.

iii) The consultant shall also assess the impact on the EU:
• The effect of the measure on the EU market and the EU fish processing (canning) industry.
• The likely impact, current and future that the provisions may have on the EU's fishing industry. This should also take into consideration the possible presence of EU's long-distance fleet in the region and possible investments in the local processing industry, including the potential of having joint ventures between EU companies and Solomon-owned companies.
• Potential impact on the other third countries to which the EU grants preferential access for processed fishery products (e.g.other ACP countries, GSP+ beneficiaries) including other countries in the same iEPA that could benefit from the derogation.

Academic Qualifications

The Consultant must be an Expert in International Trade, Economics and Fisheries Management, and should possess the following qualifications and experience:

Qualification and skills
 A post-graduate qualification in international trade, economics, fisheries management, or related field.
 Detailed knowledge of the key trade and fisheries-related issues relevant to Solomon Islands.
 Detailed knowledge of regional and international trade agreements and trade negotiations relevant to Solomon Islands, in particular the PACP-EU I-EPA.
 Sound understanding of the EU markets for fisheries products, including non-tariff barriers to trade.
 Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally in English.
 Proven ability to meet strict deadline and willingness to travel to Solomon Islands for the purpose of conducting consultations.

HOW TO APPLY

Submissions should be entitled:

OPEN TENDER – CONSULTANCY TO DEVELOP REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEROGATION TO THE STANDARD RULES OF ORIGIN GRANTED TO THE SOLOMON ISLANDS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE INTERIM ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

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 4pm Tuesday 11 July 2023.

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” 4 July 2023. 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.