APEP-2024-014 Governance advisory support to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Council of Papua New Guinea

⁠⁠⁠APEP is seeking submissions from interested respondents to design and deliver a package of support to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Council, that will simultaneously establish the needs of the organisation, its members and the wider Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises market, and build institutional capacity. The project will be delivered in two phases, will be managed by the APEP Efficient and Inclusive Markets pillar project team and the proposed implementation timeframe for delivery is 12-months from contract commencement.

Description

The Australia-PNG Economic Partnership (APEP) is assisting the Government of Papua New Guinea to create a stable and more prosperous country. The Australian Government is committed to delivering APEP in accordance with the principles of integration and alignment with PNG’s economic sector policies, systems, and processes.

Between 2022 and 2026, APEP will contribute to the achievement of a resilient and diversified economy that provides a high quality of life for all Papua New Guineans. The overarching policy objective is to assist Papua New Guinea (PNG) in its efforts to achieve sustained growth, capable of lifting the standard of living of all citizens.

APEP has five End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs) that are expected to be achieved:

• EOPO 1 - Safeguarding Macroeconomic Stability

• EOPO 2 - Strengthening Public Financial Management for Improved Service Delivery and Inclusive Growth

• EOPO 3 - Supporting More Efficient and Inclusive Markets

• EOPO 4 - Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods

• EOPO 5 - Catalyzing Economic Research and Dialogue

APEP is a multi-sector investment which positions gender equality, disability and social inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, climate change, economic dialogue, and open government as cross-cutting objectives across all engagement areas.

The Pillar 3 Efficient and Inclusive Markets work stream seeks to address common bottlenecks within the ecosystem, by focusing on inclusive growth and increasing economic opportunities for women, marginalized groups, and rural populations. Technical support is driven by the priorities of implementing partners, most notably the Government of PNG, and aligned with the Australian Government bilateral and regional programming.