SCOPE OF WORK/TERMS OF REFERENCE 

Consultant: “MADE IN PAKISTAN 2022 – BUSINESS TO BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT and NETWORKING”

Background

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA) is a seven year Project initiated in 2015 to further the development of Pakistan’s trade sector by improving the business enabling environment, reducing the cost of trade and transit, and enhancing Pakistan’s exports in regional markets, particularly Central Asian Republics (CARs).

A key component of the Project aims to strengthen Business to business (B2B) / Business to Government (B2G) linkages for improving regional trade and economic connectivity by organizing trade exhibitions, B2B networking events and trade-focused delegation visits between businesses in Pakistan and CARs.

The “Made in Pakistan” exhibition is aimed at continuing USAID efforts to promote Pakistani products in the Central Asian Republics (CARs) region by providing an opportunity for Pakistani traders, manufactures and exporters for show case their products, supporting Pakistani business in exploring the potential for their products in CAR markets, networking with regional counterparts, and learning about various rules/regulations applicable in the region. Of all the CAR countries, Kazakhstan provides better trading and business opportunities to Pakistani traders, exporters and manufactures not only in Kazakhstan but also as a trading hub for other countries in Central Asia and beyond. This activity would thus support Pakistan's regional integration with CARs through the enhancement of market access and development of opportunities for trade, investment, and business partnerships in the region.

This “Made in Pakistan” exhibition, scheduled to be held in March 2022, will be the 3^rd such exhibition to be held in Almaty, Kazakhstan; PREIA has successfully organized two previous exhibitions in 2016 and 2019, in collaboration with key public and private sector stakeholders from across Pakistan including the Ministry of Commerce, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Embassy of Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Kazakhstan, Embassy of Republic of Kazakhstan in Pakistan and the different Chambers of Commerce and Industries.

Made in Pakistan 2022

USAID PREIA in collaborating with Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Government of Republic of Kazakhstan, Sialkot and Rawalpindi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (SCCI, RCCI) will organize a Single Country "Made in Pakistan" exhibition in Almaty, Kazakhstan from March 16^th to March 20^th, 2022.

Key parameters of the Made in Pakistan are as follows:

1. Event Type                   :           Trade Expo (Business to Business)
2. Place                            :           Almaty, Kazakhstan
3. Preferred Venue            :           Atakent International Exhibition Centre 
4. Exhibition dates             :           March 16 ~ 20, 2022
5. Number of Days            :           5 days
6. Number of stalls            :           60 stalls
7. Average stall size          :           9 sqm
8. Number of Companies   :           60 Companies
9. Sector/Products            :           Sectors/products expected to display would be Apparel/Ready-

made garments (Denim, Knitted, Woven), Food and Confectionary Items (juices, spices, food colors etc.), Food Products (rice, tea, pulses, grains, vegetables, fruits, dry fruits, food colors), Furniture, Handicrafts/ Salt Products/ Oynx & Marble Products, Home Textiles, Towels and Fabrics, Kitchenware/ Silverware/ Hunting Knives/ Cutlery, Leather Products, Paints and Coatings, Pharmaceuticals & Nutritional Supplements, Skin Care & Herbal products, Sports Apparel/ Sports Wear, Sports Goods, Surgical Instruments etc.

However, this is not the complete representation of product/sector. USAID PREIA is in process of finalizing the businesses who will display their products in the exhibition. Exact list is expected to complete by January 15, 2022.

Consultant/ Short-Term Technical Assistance (STTA)

USAID PREIA is seeking the services of a competent Consultant/Short-Term Technical Assistance (STTA) to coordinate with PREIA team to ensure that relevant businesses including exporters, importers, traders, direct buyers, wholesalers, retailers, sourcing companies, chamber of commerce and industry, sector associations etc should visit/attend the Made in Pakistan and discuss/explore partnerships and business deals with the companies who will display their products in the MIP 2022.

It is also expected from the STTA to invite businesses including exporters, importers, traders, direct buyers, wholesalers, retailers, sourcing companies, chamber of commerce and industry, sector associations etc from other Central Asian Republics and Regional markets. The tasks specifically sought form the STTA include:

Tasks (Performance Requirements)

1.     Pre-Exhibition Activities

a)    Support and coordinate with USAID PREIA in organizing the MIP 2022 to ensure that the initiative can effectively meet its objectives.

b)    Identification of 7 ~ 10 businesses/companies from each sector/product, to be shortlisted and recommended by USAID PREIA and inviting and ensuring their visit/presence in the exhibition. These targeted businesses/companies should be exporters, importers, traders, direct buyers, wholesalers, retailers, sourcing companies, chamber of commerce and industry, sector associations etc. These businesses/companies should be legally registered and member of chamber of commerce and industry or/and sector association in their respective countries and having experience of not less than 7 ~ 10 years in business, trading wholesale, retail etc.

c)     Compile and submit database of these identified/shortlisted companies including company profile, relevant information, and original documentation, as per format recommended by USAID PREIA. This will include, but is not limited to, verified company registration documents, company profiles (facilities, services offered, regional presence etc.), chamber/association certificates, business cards etc.

d)    Participants Management: Administer and compile list of participants by securing firm commitments from these identified companies to attend the MIP.

e)    Send out invitation to these companies/businesses and follow-up on invitations in coordination with USAID PREIA and Event Management Company. Only need to provide addresses and event management company will dispatch these invitation cards.

f)      Guide Pakistani businesses in building engagement mechanism with businesses from Kazakhstan and other CARs countries.

g)    Explain prevalent and acceptable marketing and promotional strategy to market products to exporters, importers, traders, direct buyers, wholesalers, retailers, sourcing companies, chamber of commerce and industry, sector associations etc

h)    Explain the impediments and general trade barriers for foreign businesses/private sector in Kazakhstan and other CARs.

i)      Provide list of regulatory and trade related public sector organizations to USDIA PREIA and support/guide in extending invitation to relevant departmental head to attend MIP 2022.

j)      Explain and guide Pakistani businesses in local registration of businesses and other regulatory framework.

k)     Identify and document regulatory / customs processes, requirements, and financial processes, requirements & associated costs.

l)      Guide and provide framework in improving trade volume and opportunities for businesses to learn about potential for their product categories, identify gaps in the market and accordingly position themselves in terms of product, price, package, and place.

2.     During Exhibition Activities

a)    Assist in interactive engagement of participants and monitor discussions.

b)    In coordination with USAID PREIA technical team, oversee the flow of and management of the business to business engagements and record necessary proceeding.

3.     Post Exhibition Activities

a)    Submit a report consisting:

• Summary of Business to Business engagements.
• list of companies who will attend the MIP (sector/product wise)
• Compilation of all documents as required in the PRE-Exhibition activities
• Feedback follow up (to be designed in consultation with USAID PREIA) after the MIP.

Deliverables

1. Identify relevant businesses/companies including exporters, importers, traders, direct buyers, wholesalers, retailers, sourcing companies, chamber of commerce and industry, sector associations etc for MIP. These will be identified on the following criteria:

-      Relevant experience in specific product/sector

-      Must have presence in CARs and other regional markets

-      Must possess valid and verified company registration documents, issued by authorized government departments and chambers/associations

-      Willingness and capacity to do business/trade

-      Commitment and willingness to fulfil PREIA’s follow-up requirements and provide specific information on business deal (e.g. nature of partnership, expected business volume and value etc) finalized as a direct result of the MIP

1. Gather complete documentation (company and person specific) for stakeholders selected to participate in the MIP, as communicated by USAID PREIA. This will include, but is not limited to, verified company registration documents, company profiles (facilities, services offered, regional presence etc.), chamber/association certificates, business cards etc.
2. Compile and submit database of company information and original documentation, as per format approved by USAID PREIA.
3. Secure commitment from counterpart businesses/companies to attend the exhibition, as identified and selected in coordination with USAID PREIA
4. Ensure the participation of selected businesses/companies from Kazakhstan and other CARs
5. The follow up would capture the following information, at minimum:

-      Feedback on the MIP (profile of participants, aspects of exhibition organization, ability to meet objectives, others as finalized in consultation with PREIA)

-      Opportunities identified for enhancing bilateral partnerships on trade from/to Pakistan

-      Follow up visits conducted by participants after the exhibition

-      Estimates for potential value of business deals and partnership agreements

-      Others as proposed by Consultant/STTA

1. Submit follow up report to USAID PREIA for approval. Table of Contents to be finalized/decided in consultation with USAID PREIA team.

Base of operations 

Kazakhstan

Level of Effort (Staff days) and Period of Performance  

Expected LOE is 60 staff days.  Expected period of performance is from February 01 to March 31, 2022.

Reporting

The consultant will report to the Regional Trade Promotion Advisor, USAID PREIA.

Qualification Requirements

The consultant must fulfil the following criteria:

• Relevant prior work experience in business management in general and trade/export and import in particular
• Demonstrated ability to identify and communicate with businesses in CARs
• Demonstrated experience of organizing the business to business meetings and event.
• Preferably have a documented experience of working and collaborating with Private sector stakeholders involved in the business and trade sectors in CARs.
• Demonstrated professional excellence, effective cross-cultural interpersonal skills, and excellent communications/writing ability.
• Fluency in local languages spoken/used in CARs and in English

SELECTION CRITERIA