The Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan is seeking grant proposals for implementation of Trade Related Technical Assistance Programme, Private Sector Development, Phase Three (TRTA/PSD III). The first phase of the program was started in 2004 and completed in 2007. The main focus of the first phase remained on public sector- capacity building related to WTO and its rules. The second phase of the TRTA program started in 2009 with a focus on public sector. The third phase of the TRTA program is being started as a complementary programme to TRTA Phase II. This third phase program will concentrate only on the private sector of Pakistan to boost its international trade capacity.
Overall Objective of the programme
The overall objective of the programme is to support the Government of Pakistan’s (GoP) trade strategy, in particular to contribute to trade competitiveness, sustainable economic development, job creation and poverty reduction in the country through export diversification and promotion of the private sector.
Specific Objectives of the programme
The first overarching specific objective is to improve competitiveness for the private sector firms and especially SMEs in the following two chosen sectors: (i) gems & jewellery (G&J) and (ii) leather products (LP) by sustainable access to services, which will promote market access and increase value of their products in regional and global markets.
The specific objectives may include the following specific areas:
– improve quality of production through provision of business development services (BDS), taking into account environmentally friendly production;
– enhance product development and improved design as to moving products up the value chain through state of the art production techniques;
– marketing and branding;
– provide access to knowledge: upgrading skills of employees (through technical training relevant for each of the focal sectors) with focus on gender balance; and training in management and organisational skills of middle management;
Financial Allocation Provided By the Contracting Authority
The overall indicative amount made available under this Call for Proposals is EUR 4 million. The Contracting Authority reserves the right not to award all available funds.
Size of Grants
Any grant requested under this Call for Proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:
– minimum amount: EUR 1 million;
– maximum amount: EUR 2 million
Note. This is a restricted Call for Proposals. In the first instance, only Concept Notes must be submitted for evaluation. Thereafter, applicants whose Concept Notes have been pre-selected will be invited to submit aFull Application Form.
Last date for submitting the concept notes is September 12, 2011.
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