Terms of Reference Foreign Direct Investment Market Research to Develop a Joint Investment Promotion Strategy for Haiti and the Dominican Republic

Transcription

1 I - BACKGROUND Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) has been entrusted by the Governments of the Dominican Republic and Haiti and the European Union with the management of the Trade Component of the Programme Development of Bilateral Trade in the Context of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. This component of the bi-national programme will seek to enhance the overall business and investment climate of Haiti and the Dominican Republic as well as the international perception and image of the same. The Programme has 3 main components: Strengthening the capacity to develop, enforce and implement trade policies and regulations and supporting investment promotion; Facilitating exchanges and strengthening the customs administrations; and Support to private sector initiatives of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Under the component Strengthening the capacity to develop, enforce and implement trade policies and regulations and supporting investment promotion, the Agency will support the Investment Promotion Agencies of Haiti and the Dominican Republic to strength their capacity to attract investment with particular attention to the border region. Consequently, the following consultancy seeks to hire the services of a consultant or a firm to develop a joint investment promotion strategy for Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The proposed consultancy will be undertaken in the context of the Trade Component of the Haiti- Dominican Republic Programme of Bilateral Economic and Trade Cooperation in the Context of the CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) funded by the European Union under the 10 th European Development Fund (EDF) FED/2012/ /7

2 II OBJECTIVE, PURPOSE & EXPECTED RESULTS 2.1 Overall Objective The objective of this intervention is to develop a Joint Investment Promotion Strategy (JIPS) for Haiti and the Dominican Republic. This strategy will focus on the mutual development of opportunities that the two countries can offer in order to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), with the aim of mutually reinforcing their attractiveness, performance and potential as competitive FDI locations and to provide both countries with a long term investment promotion strategy that they would be developing and implementing beyond the life of the bi-national programme. The development of this Strategy forms a key element of Caribbean Export s work programme under the overall objective of the trade component of the bi-national programme, as well as for the Center of Facilitation of Investment of Haiti (CFI) and the Center of Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD). This consultancy shall also provide support to the private sector through initiatives aimed at identifying measures which are needed to enhance the investment climate, and promote investment between both countries and to third countries as to allow Haiti and the Dominican Republic to increase their investment flows. 2.2 Purpose The specific purpose of this contract is the design or development of a Joint Investment Promotion Strategy (JIPS) that allows Haiti and the Dominican Republic as a single but multi-faceted investment destination, capitalizing on their common strengths and highlighting their individual country s unique investment opportunities. In addition, any strategy developed should consider the impact on economic and social development, preserving the environment, promoting corporate social responsibility as well as the generation of qualified and sustainable jobs, in accordance with the labor regulations in both countries. 2.3 Results to be achieved by the Consultant The JIPS will be focused on delivering hands-on tools in order to promote sectors as a joint initiative. The methodology developed for some sectors should be developed in a manner that can be easily utilized for the development of other sectors outside the scope of this project. The consultant is expected to deliver the following results: A preliminary assessment of global FDI trends, recent FDI trends in Latin American and the Caribbean and emerging opportunities in investments; 2/7

3 Assessment of the FDI potential offering of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, based on their legal and incentive frameworks; Review the labor force skills and availability, infrastructure, technology development and innovation policy framework; Identification of potential markets and niche markets, and the respective promotion strategy per market; Identification of strategic sectors/subsectors or niches for investment promotion in both countries, and the respective promotion strategy per sector/subsector or niche; Recommendations about FDI attraction methods and investment climate policies and reforms for the strategic sectors resulting from the research (focus should be placed on those countries with more FDI outflows and main companies/corporations investing in those sectors); Recommendations on strategies that can be used to generate a change in negative perceptions of investors on investing in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, in order to attract investment flows into both countries and increase bi-national investment flows, based on international best practices; Provide a database of the top 30 investors (per sector/subsector or niche) that Haiti and Dominican Republic should target for investment promotion based on the results of the JIPS; Provide a list of potential events (based in the strategic sectors and potential markets) that Haiti and the Dominican Republic should participate and take advantage of the investment attractiveness identified in the scope of this research. III ASSUMPTIONS AND RISKS 3.1 Assumptions The required information is readily available to the consultant (s). A Joint Investment Promotion Strategy can be developed despite the divergence of the economy and development of both countries. Political issues will not detract from the assignment. 3.2 Risks The risk is that the above-mentioned assumption is not fulfilled and as a consequence the anticipated results and objectives of the project are not realized. The management of expectations associated with this project s output and potential impact will be a critical element of this assignment. 3/7

4 IV- SCOPE OF THE WORK 4.1 General Caribbean Export is seeking the professional services of a consultant or firm with experience on FDI market research and a clear understanding and knowledge of the investment opportunities, guidelines and policies of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The consultant will therefore be required to research, develop and produce a joint investment promotion strategy and activation plan for the next five (5) years. Specifically, the services provided will result in the achievement of objectives detailed in item 2.3 of this. To achieve this, it is expected that the consultant will undertake the following: A preliminary assessment of global FDI trends and emerging opportunities in investments, including an assessment of recent FDI trends in Latin American and the Caribbean on inflows into the region and intra-regional investments; Evaluation of the investment portfolio and opportunities of each country; Evaluation of the investment framework, incentives and guidelines of each country; Identify at least five (5) key strategic sectors, subsector or niches to be promoted jointly; Identify the target markets or niche markets based on different criteria such as their FDI outflows, portfolio of companies investing in the strategic sectors, easiness for business and soft skills adaptation, etc; Integrated bi-national investment promotion plan indicating the type of promotional material and tools required and worldwide platforms for promotion of the 5 key strategic sectors or subsectors or niches; Propose activities/studies/technical assistance with the view of enhancing the business and investment climate over the duration of the bi-national programme; Develop and deliver a Word document and a PowerPoint presentation on main findings to Caribbean Export, CFI and CEI-RD; Prepare an Implementation Plan that identifies the key executing agents in the JIPS, activities to be undertaken, timelines for implementation and an indicative budget; Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the impact of the strategic interventions. 4/7

5 The recommended JIPS for Haiti and the Dominican Republic should be complementary to the Regional Investment Promotion Strategy for CARIFORUM (RIPs) that is being developed by Caribbean Export in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) under 10 th EDF Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP), and shall take into account the completed Investor Perception Survey and Analysis for CARIFORUM 2013 and the Benchmarking Investment Incentives in CARIFORUM Countries with those of Major Competitors 2013, inter alia. 4.2 Project Management The Caribbean Export Development Agency will be responsible for the management and coordination of this project, alongside the Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD) and the Center for the Facilitation of Investment of Haiti (CFI). The Deputy Executive Director of the Agency will retain overall responsibility for the project and will report the performance of the project to the Steering Committee of the Programme. Day-to-day supervision of the activities of the project is the responsibility of the Investment Promotion Expert of the Haiti-DR Bi-national Programme (based in the Dominican Republic). V DURATION This assignment is estimated to require 60 person days of effort over an implementation period of 4 months. VI DELIVERABLES AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS The consultant(s) shall be required to provide the following: a. A preliminary assessment of global FDI trends and emerging opportunities in investments, including recent FDI trends in Latin American and the Caribbean; b. Preparation of a diagnostic report based on items 2.3 and 4.1 of this ; c. Presentation of at least five (5) key strategic sectors or subsector or niches identified to be promoted joinlty. The presentation of the key strategic sectors and/or subsectors/niches identified should include among others the following: i. Executive summary ii. Industry and/or sector description 1. Identification and description of sector, sub-sectors or niches; 2. Identification of main national stakeholders; 3. Identification of the potentialities in both countries (in terms of incentives, infrastructure, resources, costs, location, market access, among others) 5/7

6 iii. International environment and demand analysis 1. Main trends (sector and sub-sectors) 2. Main competitors (at the level of countries/markets) 3. Main opportunities and threats iv. International demand analysis 1. Qualitative description 2. Quantitative description 3. Target markets (based on a multi-criteria matrix 1 ) v. SWOT Analysis vi. Investment Promotion Strategy 1. Promotion strategy matrix (identifying region, type of client to be reached, FDI attraction method, type of FDI tool, value proposal); 2. Main international events (expo/fairs) per sector or sub-sector; 3. Top 30 investors that Haiti and the Dominican Republic should target in their joint investment promotion strategy; Conclusions and recommendations. d. Develop and deliver a Word document and a PowerPoint presentation of the most appropriate and effective promotion strategy to be employed by Haiti and the Dominican Republic and the priority sectors and subsectors/niches identified to be presented to Caribbean Export, CFI and CEI-RD. e. Preparation of a final Report based on feedback from the Caribbean Export, CFI and CEI-RD (this will serve to validate the proposed priority sectors/subsectors/niches), including the preparation of a comprehensive Joint Investment Promotion Strategy Implementation Plan and a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. The Plan will include a summary of the main priorities, time frame for execution and estimated resources requirements, as well as a mechanism to monitor the implementation; f. The Consultant (s) must present, as part of its final report, an Executive Summary of around 10 pages; g. All the reports must be submitted in French and Spanish. 1 Region, type of client, type of demand, among other criteria. 6/7

7 VII QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE The consultant(s) should fulfill the following requirements: 7.1 Personnel Key Expert (s) Qualifications & Skills 1. Graduate degree in international marketing, business, economics or related field. 2. Proven experience in research and analysis 3. Expertise in developing and implementing marketing and public relations strategies 4. Expertise with the development of investment promotion strategies 5. Excellent oral and written communications skills with fluency in written and spoken Spanish and French. English will be an asset. General Professional Experience 1. Minimum ten (10) years of experience in international marketing and/or investment promotion; 2. Demonstrated experience in undertaking similar assignments; 3. Experience in the development of investment promotion strategies; 4. Experience in developing and implementing marketing and public relations strategies with particular focus on location marketing/branding 5. Experience working with national policy-makers and investment promotion agencies; 6. General knowledge of the investment climate and the challenges faced by investors in the Caribbean Region will be an asset Other experts, support staff & backstopping As required. 7.2 Office Accommodation No office accommodation at the Caribbean Export Development Agency is required for the consultant. 7.3 Facilities to be provided by the Consultant The Consultant shall ensure that additional experts, if required, are adequately supported and equipped. In particular, the Consultant shall ensure that there is sufficient administrative, secretarial and general support for each additional expert to enable the Consultant to concentrate on his/her primary responsibilities. The Consultant must also transfer funds as necessary to support the activities under the contract and to ensure that all employees are paid regularly and in a timely fashion. 7/7

8 7.4 Equipment No equipment is to be purchased on behalf of the Contracting Authority/beneficiary countries as part of this service contract or transferred to the Contracting Authority/beneficiary countries at the end of this contract. Any equipment related to this contract which is to be acquired by the Contracting Authority/beneficiary countries must be purchased by means of a separate supply tender procedure. VIII COMMUNICATION & REPORTING 8.1 The consultant will submit the following deliverables: Report 1: A preliminary assessment of global FDI trends and emerging opportunities in investments and a preliminary outline of the diagnostic report, to be delivered within 2 weeks of commencing the assignment. Report 2: Diagnostic report to inform the assessment of the FDI potential offering of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, based on their legal and incentive frameworks, labor force skills and availability, infrastructure, technology development, etc; the recommended potential markets and niche markets; the recommended five (5) key strategic sectors/subsectors/niches to be promoted jointly; the recommended integrated bi-national investment promotion plan indicating the type of promotional material required and worldwide platforms to market, position and promote Haiti and Dominican Republic; the proposed activities /technical assistance required for Haiti and Dominican Republic with the view of enhancing the business and investment climate over the duration of the bi-national programme. Report 3: A Power Point Presentation of the updated diagnostic report and the most appropriate and effective promotion strategy to be employed by Haiti and the Dominican Republic to be presented to Caribbean Export, CFI and CEI-RD. Report 4: Implementation Plan of the JIPS and a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. Report 5: A Final Report that includes the Joint Investment Promotion Strategy and the Implementation Plan with all comments considered, observations and recommendations. The Consultant must present, as part of its final report, an Executive Summary of around 10 pages. 8/7

9 8.2 Submission & approval of reports The deliverables referred to above must be submitted to the In vest ment Pr o motion Expert of the Haiti-DR Bi -national Programme. All deliverables must be submitted in Spanish and French. The Investment Promotion Expert is responsible for approving the deliverables. The work produced by the expert(s) will be owned by Caribbean Export, the European Union, CFI and CEI-RD. - END 9/7