Sector Development Competitiveness and Value Chain Diagnostics in SEMED

approved

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “EBRD” or the “Bank”) is implementing the EU Trade and Competitiveness Programme (the “Programme”), which aims at enhancing competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (“SMEs”) in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. The Programme is financed by the European Union’s Neighbourhood Investment Facility and provides support via 1) investment grants and technical assistance (‘TA’) to eligible SMEs; and 2) diagnostic studies for value chain identification and development. The Programme focuses on SMEs in the Industry, Commerce and Agribusiness sector in the SEMED region, that are part of a value chain in industries such as agribusiness, manufacturing and services, logistics and distribution, and information and communication technologies. The Programme's Sector Development, Competitiveness and Value Chain Diagnostics in SEMED component (“diagnostics component”) supports the overall implementation of the Programme by mapping the structure of supply chains, identifying key bottlenecks hindering value chain development, and providing insights into investments and technical assistance needs to support sector competitiveness and improve SME access to finance along the value chain. Specific objectives of the diagnostics component: - Analyse sector competitiveness and value chain dynamics, carry out diagnostics of regulatory impediments in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia, and develop recommendations; - support the organisation and delivery of public-private workshops to present and discuss findings with relevant public-private stakeholders. The re-approved framework for Sector Development, Competitiveness and Value Chain Diagnostics in SEMED, is expected to contract up to seven new diagnostics projects by the end of the Programme (currently June 2027). Typology of assignments under the Diagnostics component: The typology of assignments and call-offs will vary, depending on the methodology, scope, sample and regional context of each research and diagnostic assignment. The specific scope of the studies to be conducted will be further specified depending on evolving private sector challenges and opportunities as well as Programme developments and relevant operational needs. Potential topics include: (i) Identification of competitiveness bottlenecks and export development opportunities in selected value chains across ICA sectors; (ii) Mapping of SEMED countries’ integration in global value chains; (iii) SMEs’ participation in GVCs; (iv) Specific assessments of firms’ competitiveness in ICA sectors and related recommendations; (v) Assessment of competition barriers in the services sector; (vi) Corporate governance and competitiveness; (vii) SMEs and spill-over effects. The Consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks and activities inter alia: - Undertake analysis, focusing on a) Sector, Competitiveness and Value Chain Analysis, and b) Diagnostic of Regulatory Impediments in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. - Develop recommendations on priority areas and the potential ways policy-makers, private sector companies, investors, IFIs and development partners can support policy reform, investment, and technical cooperation. - Develop presentations on key findings from the diagnostic analyses, present and discuss them with relevant public-private stakeholders, and incorporate their feedback. - Organise and hold public-private workshops to discuss study findings with local private sector companies, specifically SMEs, business associations, export councils and chambers of commerce, public authorities, IFIs, EU representatives, international development organisations and other relevant stakeholders. - Ensure alignment of the focus of the analysis with the Programme’s and the EBRD’s strategic and operational priorities, in close coordination with other EBRD teams including Corporate Sector and Regional Office Banking, SME Finance and Development (SME F&D), Climate Strategy and Delivery and others. - Coordinate with other consultants working on related studies under the Project in order to consolidate and cross-validate relevant findings, provide to the EBRD regular updates on progress and detailed inputs for reporting purposes as requested. Further information regarding the EBRD’s approach to measuring transition impact is available here. For business opportunities or procurement, contact the client company. For business opportunities with EBRD (not related to procurement) contact: Tel: +44 20 7338 7168 Email: projectenquiries@ebrd.com For state-sector projects, visit EBRD Procurement: Tel: +44 20 7338 6794 Email: procurement@ebrd.com