Consultancy services – Assist Invest Moldova Agency with selecting and promoting top exporters brands from Moldova

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT Sector: General industry and trade sector IDA Credit No. 71740 IBRD Loan No. 94230 Project ID No. P177895 Reference No. MD-CEP-485830-CS-CQS, Consultancy services – Assist Invest Moldova Agency with selecting and promoting top exporters brands from Moldova

The Republic of Moldova has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Competitiveness Project (MSME) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include (i) assisting the Agency in designing the Export Brands Program Regulation and succesful implementation of the Y. 2025 Program; (ii) assisting the Agency and other stakeholders in the selection process of Moldovan exporters, ensuring compliance with predefined evaluation criteria; (iii) managing content development and design ready for production of Export Brands Program Book and (iv) in collaboration with the Agency designing and executing an online promotion campaign for the Program and awarded brands.

The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest.

The Project Implementation Unit of the MSME Competitiveness Project now invites eligible local consulting firm (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (required qualifications and experience of the firm, but not individual experts’ bio data).

This assignment will require a Consultant, which can be a local consulting firm or a consortium of such consulting firms, which meets the following selection criteria:

 Company’ proven experience in carrying out similar or alike assignments by having at least 7 (seven) years of experience in providing economic analysis, business advisory services, conducting studies / research, export related analysis, designing development programs, developing analytical reports for the public intitutions responsible for SMEs’ support.

 Company’ knowledge of the economic sectors of Moldova, their needs, reflected by having practical experience in working on SMEs development, export and trade facilitation would be an asset.

 Company’ ability to utilize and access relevant sources of information and statistical data for accurate and comprehensive analysis.

 Company’ demonstrated experience in developing content and graphic design, layout for high quality publications, (e.g. books, leaflets, video & photo materials, other promotion materials), planning and implementation of digital communication campaigns.

 Possess a portfolio of works that would prove professional excellence and professional capacity and previous succesful experience of the company and staff with at least three successfully implemented SME support related assignments.

 Experience in developing landing pages and using various design platforms and software (e.g. Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Figma, etc.) and ability to deliver materials in multiple editable formats (PSD, AI, PNG, JPG, editable PDF, etc).

 Has successful prior experience in implementation of donors’ and/or IFIs’ sponsored projects.

The selection criteria are:

Criteria Points Experience in providing economic analysis, business advisory services, conducting studies / research, export related analysis, designing development programs, developing analytical reports for the institutions responsible for SMEs’ growth by having at least 7 (seven) years of experience in the field of the assignment. 35 Company’ knowledge of the economic sectors of Moldova, their needs, reflected by having practical experience in working on SMEs development. 25 Demonstrated experience in developing content and graphic design for high quality publications, (e.g. books, leaflets, video & photo materials, promotion materials), planning and implementation of digital communication campaigns 30 Has successful prior experience in implementation of donors’ and/or IFIs’ sponsored projects 10

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the „Consultant’s Qualification-based Selection” method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications; but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

The Expression of Interest shall clearly state the name of the Consultant (individual Firm, Joint Venture or sub-consultancy). The Consultant shall provide relevant references (assignment name, Client, time frame, the role of the firm (main Consultant/Partner in JV/sub-consultant), contract amount, tasks performed etc.) to confirm its experience and qualifications.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person or by e-mail) by May 06, 2025, 16.00 (local time).

Public Institution “Project Implementation Unit of the World Bank Competitiveness Enhancement Project” Attn. Mr. Aureliu Casian, Executive Director 180, Stefan cel Mare Ave., office 815, MD-2004, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova Tel: + 373 22 296-723; + 373 22 296-724; e-mail: piu@mded.gov.md web: www.uipac.md