REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

CONSULTING SERVICES - “INBOUND EXPORT MISSIONS TO STRATEGIC SECTORS OF MOLDOVA (FRUITS AND HONEY SECTORS)” (MSME COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT)

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT Sector: General industry and trade sector IDA Credit No. 71740 IBRD Loan No. 94230 Project ID No. P177895 Reference No. MD-CEP-474933-CS-CQS

The Republic of Moldova has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Competitiveness Project (MSME) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include providing targeted buyer identification along with comprehensive logistics and support services for organizing 2 (two) inbound mission focused on promoting Moldova’s strategic sectors and boosting export opportunities in the Fresh Fruits and Honey Sectors. The EFTA-Moldova Free Trade Agreement, entered into force on April 1, 2025 and aims to facilitate trade between the two parties. For fresh fruits, the target buyer markets are EFTA countries like Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, with a goal of 10 qualified buyers and 10 Moldovan companies participating in at least 5 tailored B2B meetings each. Similarly, for honey, the target markets are Italy and/or Germany, with the same objective of 10 buyers and 10 local companies participating in at least 5 tailored B2B meetings/local company. The main objective of the assignment is to organize and conduct by the end of 2025 two inbound business missions for international trade delegations to connect them with Moldovan producers from (i) Fresh Fruits sector and (ii) Honey sector, including the identification and recruiting highpotential international buyers, coordination of B2B matchmaking, and arranging complete travel logistics for international participants

The assignment is expected to be implemented during the period September 2025 through December 2026. Both inbound missions are expected to take place during the period September through December 2025 for core activities and January – December 2026 for the activities related to the results monitoring assessment. Each mission is expected to last for a period of 4 to 5 days.

The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the primary procurement stage for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the „Consultant’s Qualification-based Selection” method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications; but they should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

The Expression of Interest shall clearly state the name of the Consultant (individual Firm, Joint Venture or sub-consultancy). The Consultant shall provide relevant references (assignment name, Client, time frame, the role of the firm (main Consultant/Partner in JV/sub-consultant, contract amount, tasks performed etc.) to confirm its experience and qualifications.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by September 17, 2025, COB.

Project Implementation Unit of the MSME Competitiveness Project Attn. Mr. Aureliu Casian, Executive Director 180, Stefan cel Mare Ave., office 815, MD-2004, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova Tel: + 373 22 296-723; + 373 22 296-724; e-mail: procurementmgf@gmail.com
with a notification about submission of EoI to email: piu@mded.gov.md web: www.uipac.md