Financial Analysis of Feasibility and Autonomous Business and Intellectual Property Registry

GAMBIA GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT(GCP)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTANT SERVICES)FINANCIAL ANALYSIS ON FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AN AUTONOMOUS BUSINESS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGISTRY

PROCUREMENT METHOD: INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY

Grant No. H614-GM

Project ID No.P114240

Date: July 29 2015

Reference Number as in Procurement Plan: GGCP/CS/87

The Government of The Gambia received financing from the International Development Association toward the cost of the Gambia Growth and Competiveness Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultant services.

Background

The Growth and Competitiveness Project (GCP) is financed by an IDA Grantand will be implemented over a period of five years. Its key expectedoutcomes are investment climate reforms to reduce the entry barriers and operating costs for businesses, enhanced access to finance and private investment flows, improved business performance especially for firms in the tourism and hospitality sectors and linkages between small producers and domestic and international markets.

The GCP through the Ministry of Justice supported the design and implementation of a Single Window Business Registry (SWBR) system in The Gambia. It was operational inFebruary, 2014 with the aim of facilitating business registration processes; by reducing both the number of days and costs it takes to register a business in The Gambia.

Objectivesof the Assignment

The assignment is aimed at providing a detailed financial feasibility analysis that would guide in formulating future strategies for autonomous operations of the SWB and Intellectual Property Registry. It should therefore focus towards the realization of the following outcomes:

• Carry out an objective feasibility assessment on the financial sustainability of establishing an autonomous SWB and Intellectual Property Registry..

• Identify potential revenue sources and how they can be sustained for smooth operations of the SWB andIntellectual Property Registry.

• Establish the Economic, Financial, Social, Legal and Environmental (ESTLE) frameworks that might be required for autonomous operations of the SWB and Intellectual PropertyRegistry.

• Recommendations and action planfor autonomous operations of the SWB and Intellectual Property Registry.

This assignment would require close consultations with public and private sector agencies to ensure a participatory process. The Ministries ofTrade, Finance and Justice should be actively engaged and involved inthe process. The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) as representative of the private sector should also be activity involved during the conduct of this assignment. The scope of this assignment is national embracing a thorough process of consultations with all relevant stakeholders that may have vested interested in the SWB and Intellectual Property Registry. In addition, the consultant would access the potential impact of the proposed agency's establishment and operations on the Gambia's ranking on the Doing Business report

Tasks

The deliverables of this assignment are the following:

➢ Inception report detailing the methodology to be adopted

➢ 4-5 year business plan for the proposed agency including an estimate of the break-even point

➢ An initial financial feasibility report shared for validation

➢ Validated final report with recommendations and implementation actionplan

➢ Delivery of five hard copies and a soft copy

Qualifications and Experience

The required qualifications for this assignment are:

➢ Minimum Bachelor's Degree in Law

➢ Consultant must have finance competency

➢ Minimum 10 years of experience in similar assignments.

➢ Good understanding of The Gambia business environment

➢ Fluent in English with a good command of communication skills

➢ Evidence of similar assignments done for similar agencies/countries

Duration of the Consultancy

It is expected that this consultancy will take 2 months effective the day it is signed by both parties

Deliverables

The deliverables of this assignment are the following:

➢ Inception report detailing the methodology to be adopted

➢ 4-5 year business plan for the proposed agency including an estimate of the break-even point and impact of the proposed agency's establishment and operations on the Gambia's ranking on the Doing Business report

➢ An initial financial feasibility report shared for validation

➢ Validated final report with recommendations and implementation actionplan

➢ Delivery of five hard copies and a soft copy

Procurement Method

The consultant will be selected under Individual Consultancy method. The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank's guidelines "Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers" May 2004 Revised October 1, 2006 & May 1, 2010 to determine the most qualified firm.

The Gambia Growth and Competiveness Project now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services ( Curriculum Vitae indicating qualifications,description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, etc).

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers May 2004, revised October 2006 and May 2010 .

Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 0830 to 1600 hours

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by August 17 2015

Gambia Growth and Competiveness Project

Attn: Mr. Tamsir Manga, Project Coordinator

Ministry of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE)

Bertil Harding Highway

Kotu, The Gambia

Telephone No.: 00220 4460465

KotuE-mail: [email protected] and [email protected]