Description
Through the EU/EBRD SME Competitiveness Support Facility (SME-CSF, or the Facility) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the EBRD or the Bank) aims to increase the capability of SMEs in Bosnia and Herzegovina to access the European Union (EU) market, as well as their ability to face competition by supporting the implementation of EU standards, through the provision of financing, investment incentives and technical assistance.
While the prospect of EU membership presents many positive opportunities for the country, progress with the adoption of the acquis communitaire will involve significant regulatory changes, giving rise to a large investment burden for enterprises to comply with the new standards. The relevant acquis covers some 145 directives, related to product safety, health and safety at work, all kind of industries and environment.
A general problem for investments of this nature is a lack of awareness by SMEs of the applicable regulations and compliance standards, coupled with limitations of access to suitable medium/long term financing. In order to overcome the various barriers to such upgrade investments by SMEs, the EBRD is planning to provide credit lines to Partner Banks (PBs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina for on-lending to SMEs (the sub-borrowers) for eligible investments (the Project).
The EBRD is expected to provide financing of EUR 20 million to 3-4 local PBs. The maximum sub-project size under the Facility is EUR 1,000,000 but a lower average of approximately EUR 200,000-300,000 is anticipated. It is thus estimated that the total number of sub-loans to be financed would be in the range of 50-75. This is an indicative number and does not take into account any sub-projects appraised but not financed.
Eligibility
Corporate services are required. The Consultant will be a firm or a group of firms preferably with previous project experience in:
1. implementing similar assignments, focussing particularly on SME investments through commercial banks in transition economies, preferably with IFIs (or similar), including tasks as described above;
2. implementing relevant EU Directives and Regulations in the areas of environmental protection, workers’ safety and product quality and safety, the acquis communitaire, as well as the transposition process in Bosna and Herzegovina;
3. in the financial sector of the Western Balkans countries.
The Consultant should be familiar with the Priority EU Directives in the field of environmental protection, workers’ safety and product quality and safety, as well as with the transposed laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the progress with the implementation of the acquis for Bosnia and Herzegovina. It should also be noted that SMEs operating in the industrial and industrial-related services sectors are expected to be the main category of beneficiaries.
Budget
Cost Estimate for the Assignment: EUR 678,400.00 (exclusive of VAT). Subject to availability of funding, the performance of the selected Consultant and the specific needs of the Bank the Assignment may be extended beyond the current scope.
Deadline: 14 August 2015
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