Background
Exporting is considered to be one of the main drivers towards economic development and growth, in particular for small developing countries like Kosovo. Increasing exports provides new opportunities for enterprises and entrepreneurs to further increase their productivity levels, expand and upgrade their production, and create more and better jobs. Several most pressing economic and labour market challenges that Kosovo is facing include the high unemployment rate, the low employment rate, the increasing inactivity rate among unemployed and the lack of skilled workforce as well as low production and processing capacity of the operating businesses. Although exports have experienced a positive increase in the last decade, imports have been continuously high resulting in persisting trade deficit.
The first step towards expanding the geographical scope of doing business is gathering information on potential export markets. A baseline assessment study covering the following business sectors: Agricultural produce, Food processing, Construction materials, Wood processing, Artisanal crafts and Tourism in the South region of Kosovo, conducted by UNDP Aid for Trade project, highlighted the need of businesses for greater flow of information on potential export markets. The market entry studies together with the list of potential partners should be compiled primarily for the countries, or block of countries, with which Kosovo either has specific trade arrangements, or those that specific arrangements are being negotiated. These include CEFTA countries, the EU and Turkey (GSP countries such as the USA could also be considered) as these countries provide greater opportunities and easier access for Kosovo businesses.
Objectives
The overall objective of the assignment is to provide the businesses with concise and thorough information on potential export markets. The market entry studies should present information in a comprehensive and clear manner addressing all important issues relevant to the above specified sectors, such as: market potential and market access conditions, business climate, economic trends, business practices, regulatory framework, transportation, distribution channels, etc.
In addition, the role of support organizations, namely regulatory bodies, public organizations, local agencies, financing institution, etc. in Kosovo, should also be analyzed and presented.
Responsibilities
- Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the general economic developments and trends in Kosovo focusing on the negotiated and on-going
trade arrangements related to the subjects under study;
- Develop a subject relevant mapping exercise and compile a summary of the relevant documents, strategies, publications, laws and legal
acts and prepare an overview of the past and current development interventions implemented by local and international entities including
objectives and results achieved relevant to the assignment;
- Compile a list of relevant policymakers and other stakeholders to be met; draft a list of issues/topics for discussion and conduct
interviews;
- Draft the structure and content of market-entry studies;
- Prepare draft report study covering all relevant issues as specified in the Objective of the Assignment, providing an overview of best
practices/approach applied in regional countries;
- Submit the final report study incorporating specific recommendations on benefiting from the existing business conditions on target
markets and specifying the role of relevant institutions and organizations in accomplishing them;
- Present and discuss the main findings of the report through a validation workshop;
Requirements
- Master degree in International Trade with extensive professional knowledge on development of export market entry studies.
- Minimum seven years of demonstrated work experience with private sector, international development agencies or NGO’s and substantive
exposure to international trade matters and export-related projects;
- Proven extensive knowledge and expertise in the regional and national competitiveness issues;
- Knowledge and experience working with private sector officials at national level;
- Fluency in the English, Albanian and/or Serbian languages.
Deadline: 26 May 2014
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