Submission Through Any Track-Able Courier Service to the Following Address

Expression of Interest (EOI) – Promotion and Marketing of Pakistani Citrus, Mango and High Value and Off Season Vegetables at Asia Fruit Logistica 2016 on a Cost Sharing Basis

Export Oriented Private Sector Entities in Citrus, Mango and HV & OSV (Green Chilies, Bitter Gourd, Squashes, Okra, Cucumber, Leafy Vegetables, Spring Onions, Broccoli, Green Peas, French Beans, Luffa, Tomatoes, Carrots, Colocasia)

Closing Date: June 28, 2016

Submission through any track-able courier service to the following address:

The Procurement Department:

U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development

Suite 15, 1st Floor, Park Lane Tower

172 Tufail Road, Mall of Lahore

Lahore, Pakistan

NOTE: (Before filling the form, please read and understand documents carefully)

Introduction:

The U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development (AMD) is a USAID funded, four year project which aims to improve the ability of Pakistan’s commercial agriculture and livestock sectors to compete in international and national markets in the four target product lines; meat, high value and off season vegetables, mangoes and citrus. AMD will act as a catalyst for development and investment in target product lines by actively promoting cooperation and coordination amongst the value chain actors and ancillary service providers. AMD’s implementation strategy is underpinned by a strictly commercial and market driven approach with a clear focus on strengthening market access for its partner organizations, and support marketing and sales efforts, both nationally and internationally. The objective of the AMD project is to encourage investments in the four target product lines through matching grants and empower stakeholders by developing synergies among them to accomplish together what they cannot do alone. AMD will support upgrading, streamline supply chains, optimize profit margins, increase participation of women entrepreneurs, and ultimately help make Pakistani meat, high value and off season vegetables, mangoes and citrus more profitable and more competitive.

In line with the overarching goal of AMD and the marketing strategy developed, participation in trade shows and other marketing events is a key element of the Project’s international marketing strategy. AMD will work towards facilitating participation of partner businesses at leading trade exhibitions and marketing events. The Project’s support will include targeted technical assistance for preparatory work prior to each show, facilitation for B2B interactions at the event itself and subsequent support for follow-up upon conclusion of the same.

Background:

In order to enhance sales and promote exports of target product lines, AMD will focus on facilitating agribusinesses for participation in leading trade fairs and exhibitions across the world. These events have the potential to be one of the most effective platforms for marketing and promotion for businesses and provide an ideal opportunity to network with various buyers, sellers and other players from the allied industry, resulting in the development of lasting business relationships and sustainable exports through adequate buyer follow-up.

The 10th edition of Asia Fruit Logistica will be held in Hong Kong between the 7th and 9th of September, 2016. Emerging as a leading trade event for fresh fruits and vegetables internationally, the exhibition has shown exponential growth since its inception. The 2015 edition saw 574 companies from 40 different countries participating with their products and services, a growth of 20 per cent compared with the previous year. The event is viewed as an ideal platform to gain market insights and subsequently penetrate the ASEAN fresh food market. China’s consistent dominance as the single largest country in terms of exhibitor numbers is further indication of the immense potential this event has for new market linkage development.

In addition to the encouraging prospects of fresh food trade with the ASEAN countries, Pakistan also enjoys a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Malaysia, which can potentially provide a much-needed competitive edge to exports into the ASEA region. In 2015, mandarin imports of ASEAN countries stood at over $465 million, of which Pakistan exported only $4.6 million, thereby highlighting the growth potential for Pakistani mandarin exports to the region.

The Program:

The AMD Project proposes to support up to six (6) exporters, four (4) from citrus and two (2) from mango and/or high value off-season vegetables, for participation at the upcoming Asia Fruit Logistica 2016. The AMD contribution will consist of cost-share amounting to half of the rental cost of up to 40 square meter exhibit space at the event. Additionally, AMD will also cover the cost of services related to design and fabrication of the booth and will ensure appropriate branding for the event.

Cost-share for participating exporters will include half of the rental cost of the exhibit space (proportionate to the respective space allocations), international airfare, hotel lodging and other printed marketing material specific to each of the participants’ business and product.

Under the arrangement AMD will pay for the booth space rental in full to the organizers and partner businesses will reimburse the Project directly for their fifty percent cost-share contribution.

In addition to marketing and promotional activities centered round the three-day trade fair, AMD will also facilitate the participating exporters in establishing b2b links with key importers from the mainland China market and will facilitate the scheduling of market visits and b2b meetings in Shanghai following the main Asia Fruit Logistica event.

The AMD staff traveling with the exporter’s delegation will support the overall management and operation of the exhibit space and will facilitate b2b interactions between Pakistani exporters and prospective buyers. They will also market the AMD target product lines in general and specifically AMD’s potential grantees. Furthermore, AMD staff will also utilize the event to gather market insights for all of its target product lines and identify key market players in the fresh produce sector for future links.

AMD support, in addition to cost-share contribution, will consist of:

·  Coordination with TDAP and Pakistani consulate in Hong Kong to pre-arrange meetings with prospective buyers

·  Developing communication material and press release content for dissemination at the event

·  Managing booth operations and meeting schedule/calendar for the partner exporters

·  Acting as meeting facilitator for individual b2b interactions of partner exporters

·  Documenting all booth visits and b2b interactions

·  Developing a buyers database for post-show follow-up

·  Distributing and disseminating promotional material related to the AMD target product lines

·  Scoping the exhibition for prominent wholesalers dealing in AMD’s target product lines

·  Engage with trade delegations from other ASEAN region target countries

·  Developing itinerary for the citrus exporters’ delegation to mainland China and coordinate site visits and b2b meetings

Expected Outcomes

Participation at Asia Fruit Logistica will facilitate the establishment of new market links through b2b networking at the event. Strategic sales leads are expected to result in new export orders and an overall increase in export sales for the citrus, mango and/or HV&OSV product-lines in particular, whereas, critical market insights for HV/OSV and mango are also expected as a direct outcome of participation. The event will also serve as platform for promoting Pakistani mandarin in the regional market, especially targeting the ethnic Chinese population of various ASEAN states. The event will also allow the Pakistani citrus exporters to build a brand identity for their citrus produce, positioning it for the high potential Chinese New Year season.

Application/ Qualification Criteria:

I.  The company should be export oriented (must have record of export over the last two years) and working in the citrus, Mango and/ or HV&OSV product-lines;

II.  Applicant should either be ISO/ HACCP certified

III.  Registered with the Department of plant protection;

IV.  Should preferably have a confirmed booking of exhibition space at Asia Fruit Logistica; and

V.  Willing to work with the program on a cost-sharing basis as stipulated.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1-  Use capital letters

2-  Mark the applicable boxes

3-  Use extra sheets where necessary

4-  Applications for Pre-qualification must be submitted through any track-able courier service on or before June 28, 2016 in a sealed envelope. Please mark the envelope with the inscription “Promotion and Marketing of Pakistani Citrus, Mango and HV&OSV at Asia Fruit Logistica 2016 on a Cost Sharing Basis” and send to the following address:

The Procurement Department:

U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development

Suite 15, 1st Floor, Park Lane Tower

172 Tufail Road, Mall of Lahore

Lahore, Pakistan

SECTION I-GENERAL INFORMATION

Application in Response to:

(Ad published on/Ref #):

Name of Entity

Type of Entity /
Private Ltd.

Partnership

Other, please specify ______

Names of Partners or Directors

/ 1-
2-
3-

Type of Company (For Profit or Not for Profit)

/

Section 42 Company Registered on (Date) (Also attach registration certificate and Not For Profit status to this form)

/
Tax identification numbers: / National Tax Number: ______
GST Registration Number: ______

Point of Contact to AMD (Name, Email, Phone Number)

Complete Address
Phone Number (Including area code)
E-Mail / Web address

SECTION II- QUALIFICATION SELECTION CRITERIA:

Export Oriented Private Entity Based in: / List City Name:
______
Willing to cover cost of international airfare, lodging, 50% booth rental, marketing material and daily expenses in Hong Kong: /
Yes No
Have a valid booth reservation for Asia Fruit Logistica 2016: /
Yes No
(Please attach confirmation)
ISO/ HACCP/ Global GAP Certified (Attach Certification) / Yes
No
Registered with the federal quarantine department /
Yes No
(Please attach Registeration)
Number of Years of Experience in exporting Citrus/Mango/ HV&OSV (please specify which) / More than 15 years
10-15 years
5 – 10 years
1 – 5 years
Exported Citrus/Mango/HV&OSV in the last 2 years /
Yes
No
Current Export Markets (List names of all countries currently exporting to) / 1-
2-
3-

SECTION III - CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

Kindly inform us if you are by any means related to U.S.-Pakistan Partnership for Agricultural Market Development (AMD) staff which may influence the outcome of this assessment process. Please mention the nature of relationship with AMD staff along with names and designations of related AMD personnel in the space provided below:

1.
2.
3.

SECTION IV- DECLARATION

I/We hereby confirm that all the information given in this form and in attached document are true and correct to the best of my/our knowledge. I/ We understand that any false information shall result in immediate disqualification.

If pre‐qualified by AMD I/we shall strictly adhere to all the rules, regulations, terms and conditions as laid down by AMD.

Signature(s) of Proprietor /Partners/Directors

Name ______

Designation ______

CNIC No. ______

IMPORTANT NOTE:

·  Submission of this Application does not guarantee that the applicant shall be registered with AMD

·  AMD may ask for any further details and documents; or may physically inspect the applicant’s organizational setup / factory at any time without prior notice

·  Please ensure to provide complete information asked for in the absence of which your application will not be considered

Any other details please specify:

______

______

Authorized Representative’s Signature