Conducting B2B export promotion missions to United Kingdom

Project: P177895 - MSME Competitiveness Project Reference: MD-CEP-566791-CS-CQS Procurement method: Consultant Qualification Selection Financing: World Bank REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST CONSULTING SERVICES Conducting B2B export promotion missions for Moldovan SMEs to the United Kingdom 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-566791-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 objective of the assignment is to support the Government of the Republic of Moldova and Invest Moldova Agency in contracting a UK-based consulting firm to organize and implement 3 (three) sector-specific export missions for at least 25 (twenty-five) Moldovan SMEs with export potential in light industry, wines, and agri-food products. The assignment aims to facilitate market entry and export growth of Moldovan SMEs through structured B2B meetings and visits in the UK with buyers, distributors, importers, retailers, specialized wine importers, fashion buyers, food retailers, HoReCa operators, and other relevant market actors. The sectors reflect UK demand for Moldovan clothes, beverages, fruit and vegetables. The assignment will be implemented in the period November 2026 - March 2027 and shall be aligned with the export missions calendar provided in Tabel 1 from below. The Consultant shall develop and submit, at the technical and financial proposal stage, a detailed work plan to ensure the accomplishment of the proposed missions calendar. Table 1 Target sectors, timeline and number of participants Target Market Sector Tentative timeline Number of Beneficiaries United Kingdom Light industry Q4, 2026 7-10 SMEs Wines Q4, 2026 7-10 SMEs Agri-food products Q1, 2027 7-10 SMEs The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment is attached to this request for expressions of interest . The Project Implementation Unit of the MSME Competitiveness Project now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (required qualifications and experience of the firm, but not individual experts’ bio data). This assignment requires a Consultant, which may be a consulting firm or a consortium of consulting firms, with proven local presence and operational capacity in the United Kingdom, that meets the following requirements: Has a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in export promotion, organization of B2B meetings, trade missions, and market research, demonstrated through similar assignments implemented; Has demonstrated competence and experience in international trade and export promotion, including the design and application of modern export promotion instruments and tools, with a strong focus on the UK market and comparable European markets; Has proven experience in the implementation of at least three (3) similar assignments during the last five (5) years, involving the organization of export missions, B2B matchmaking, and cooperation with foreign buyers and partners; Has demonstrated experience in organizing study visits, company visits, and sector-specific business programs for foreign SMEs, including coordination with local companies, clusters, business associations, and relevant institutions; Has sound knowledge of the economic sectors of the Republic of Moldova and their export potential, reflected through practical experience in working on SME development, export facilitation, and trade-related projects; Has a team of qualified experts with relevant professional experience in export promotion, trade facilitation, B2B matchmaking, and business development; Has proven prior experience in the implementation of donor-funded and/or International Financial Institutions (IFI) financed projects, including compliance with reporting and procedural requirements. 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 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 t