SCOPING STUDY ON MARKET RESEARCH AND IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL PARTNERS FOR TWELVE (12) PRODUCT RANGES IN GERMANY

Background

As one of the largest markets in the European Union it is important that Pacific businesses are familiar with the product-specific market access requirements relevant to the country of origin. The EU’s Access to Markets online portal provides comprehensive information for Pacific exporters to this end. However, there is currently not enough knowledge on which of our Pacific products could be successful even though it is widely accepted that, overall, Pacific products are extremely underrepresented in the German market. Narrowing the scope to those products + exporters that may find commercial opportunity in this market and then assisting with both the specialized technical requirements + buyer matching for these Pacific exporters, needs to be prioritized as a key area where the EU-funded SPIRIT project that is managed by the Pacific Islands Forum can support the Pacific private sector development through close collaboration with the Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Office that is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to undertake a comprehensive scoping study, providing market intelligence in the following areas:

• competitor analysis in relevant category

• supply partners pricing guidance

• regulatory requirements (labelling, packaging, CE mark, HS Code, EORI, etc.)

• Introductions to suitable buyers (distributors, agents or retailers depending on the fit of the products)

Scope of Work

The Consultant is expected to undertake a comprehensive scoping study, providing market intelligence in the products listed under 4.1.1 (iii) and across the specific areas delineated below:

• competitor analysis in relevant category

• supply partners pricing guidance

• regulatory requirements (labelling, packaging, CE mark, HS Code, EORI, etc.)

• Introductions to suitable buyers (distributors, agents or retailers depending on the fit of the products)

Products to be covered

12 Pacific businesses will be considered and selected from the following list that are broadly defined as those that should be considered with potential for the German market.

Country Product

Fiji

Renandi/Redshoots

Fiji ginger

Herbex

Fiji Fire

Papua New Guinea

Frangipani Foods

Niugini Organics

Solomon Islands

Soltuna

Kokonut Pacific

Solomons Gold

Samoa

Wilex

Tonga

Heilala Vanilla

South Pacific Mozuku

Vanuatu

Fine Foods

Lapita

Niue

Niue Vanilla

Niue Honey

Academic Qualifications

The Consultant should possess the following qualifications and experience:

i. Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in market intelligence analysis, trade and investment promotion and direct collaboration with trade and business associations.

ii. At least a Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, economics or a related field. An MBA degree is preferred.

iii. Excellent communication, analytical, and report-writing skills.

iv. Experience in market research and SWOT analysis.

v. Excellent time management and multi-tasking across multiple assignments.

vi. Fluent in written and spoken German.

HOW TO APPLY

Submissions should be entitled:

OPEN TENDER – SCOPING STUDY ON MARKET RESEARCH AND IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL PARTNERS FOR TWELVE (12) PRODUCT RANGES IN GERMANY

Method of Submissions:

Submissions must be forwarded in PDF format following the instructions at www.tenders.net/forumsec

Note: Tenders must be submitted with clear labelling of the technical offer and the financial offer. The Technical Offer documents must be saved and submitted clearly labelled “A. Technical Offer”. Financial Offer documents must be saved and submitted clearly labelled “B. Financial Offer”.

The electronically submitted documents should be converted to the PDF format.

Deadline for Submissions:

Submissions need to reach the Secretariat by 4pm (Fiji Time) Monday, 25 September 2023.

Late or incomplete tenders will not be considered.

Questions and Answers

All queries or request for information must be submitted via the Question-and-Answer Forum at www.tenders.net/forumsec . Tenderers may submit questions in writing to the mentioned Question and Answer Forum before the stated “deadline for requesting clarifications” 18 September 2023. The Secretariat has no obligation to provide clarification after this date.

Note: The Secretariat will not be responsible for non-receipt/non-delivery of the Bid documents due to any reason whatsoever.

Any complaints regarding the Secretariat’s tender must be directed to the following email: Tender.Complaints@forumsec.org. This email address will forward your complaint to a person that is independent and removed from the tender process. Complaints must be well founded and should not be used as a mechanism for notifying displeasure with the outcome of a tender award. Further information on making a complaint can be found on the Policies & Information page at http://tenders.forumsec.org.

In the event that further information is required by the Secretariat in relation to the tender for consultancy, the Secretariat reserves the right to seek the required information without the need for calling for resubmission of proposals.