REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTANCY SERVICES)

Republic of Tajikistan Technical Assistance Grant Agreement For the development preparation of the feasibility study for Establishment of Fruit Cluster in Sugdh Province of Tajikistan CONSULTING SERVICES Mode of Financing: TA for Agriculture Development Financing No. 100590004052

The Government of Republic of Tajikistan has received a Technical assistance grant from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) to support for preparation of the feasibility study for Establishment of Fruit Cluster in Sugdh Province of Tajikistan. The main objective of the proposed Technical Assistance (TA) Grant is to increase both domestic and international competitiveness of selected high value fruit commodities with a focus on agro processing and value chain development. The TA has been jointly developed by IDB and ICD to cover both the public and private sector engagement in establishing the fruit cluster in the province. The Ministry of Agriculture now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants must provide specific information which demonstrates that they are fully qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). Experience in the following area or tasks shall be the minimum requirement for the assignment:  Review the existing status of all horticultural production, value-addition processes, economic, technological, institutional, legal and infrastructural requirements to access a set of target markets.  The geographic scope will focus on Tajikistan’s main fruit producing province Sughd. Other high potential provinces should be considered as well to explore the potential of their integration into the cluster.  To assess the economic and financial viability of the initiative and propose feasible strategies, activities, appropriate technologies as well as best management practices along with alternative arrangements.  Prepare an investment plan outlining the role of public and private sector and other stakeholders including development partners and civil society organizations.  Conduct a 2-days workshop for MoA staff in order to provide hands-on training on the project finding. The team of consultants will include qualified personnel with extensive experience in all aspects of horticultural value chain development, cluster formation and agricultural trade. The team should combine the abilities of strategic thinking with innovative ideas based on practical experiences related to value chain development and international trade financing solutions. The team will comprise of subject matter specialists covering production, processing, marketing, value chain development, agricultural trade as well as strategic and policy aspects to provide expert services for establishment of the fruit cluster. Knowledge based solutions are required to make the fruits and fruit products of Tajikistan competitive in the international market. The individual experts are required to have work experience in Tajikistan and/or wider CIS region. Specific technical skills and expertise the team should have include:

 Agricultural/horticultural production, crop management, crop protection, soil and irrigation management, harvest and post-harvest management;  Value chain analytical and benchmarking relevant to the industry;  Business development services, a good understanding of agribusinesses and enterprise development using value chain;  International Trade, Economics and Marketing.

Consultants may express interests in the forms of association, validated by an agreement among members of the association which clearly specifies the type of association, i.e. a joint-venture, intermediate forms of association, or sub consultancy. A consultant will be selected in accordance with the QCBS (Quality and Cost-Based Selection) procedures set out in the Guidelines for the Use of Consultants under Islamic Development Bank Financing (May 2009). Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours, i.e. 0900 to 1700 hours, time in Dushanbe city.

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by [insert: date (must be 14 days or more after the date of this advertisement)].

Attention: Mr. Kamoliddin Kurbonov, Director Capacity Development Center under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan Shamsi 5/1 str, 8 floor Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 734000 Tel: +992935059432 Fax: +9923722353915/14 E-mail: cdc@moa.tj Web site: www.moa.tj