Support to Blue Economy Micro- Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Technical Assistance Project in Seychelles

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) or Banque Africaine de Développement (BAD) is a multilateral development finance institution. The AfDB was founded in 1964 and comprises three entities: The African Development Bank, the African Development Fund and the Nigeria Trust Fund. The AfDB’s mission is to fight poverty and improve living conditions on the continent through promoting the investment of public and private capital in projects and programs that are likely to contribute to the economic and social development of the region. The AfDB is a financial provider to African governments and private companies investing in the regional member countries (RMC).

The Government of Seychelles has received a grant from the African Development Bank Group’s Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA) to finance Technical Assistance to Support to Blue Economy MSMEs in Seychelles.

The principal objective of the project is to develop the marine biotechnology sector to create high value jobs and wealth by bringing innovation to the sector. It will strengthen the capacity of relevant public institutions and private operators, increase knowledge on business opportunities through the creation of a knowledge platform, and provide technical and financial training to MSMEs. The procurement modes envisaged in the project include Open Competitive Bidding, Quality Cost Based Selection and Least Cost Selection.

The project includes the following components:

• Component 1: Enhancing development opportunities – The component will include review of existing marine biotechnology practices in Seychelles, the identification of investments and marine biotechnologies opportunities, including exposing Seychellois to new ideas, and the drafting of a National “MSME Biotechnology Entrepreneurship Development Strategy”.
• Component 2: Research and Development (R&D) technical capability and setting-up of an incubator for MSME – The component will provide technical support for product development by making information available to potential investors as incubation facilities and also see to the setting-up of a Knowledge Hub for Seychelles Marine Data Management System and Business Technology Innovation Incubator.
• Component 3: Capacity building and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship: Building on existing programs to support MSMEs, the component will support the development of MSMEs for marine biotechnologies.
• Component 4: Project Management – This component will involve the provision of management support to the institutions involved and the supervision of project activities.

Procurement of goods (including non-consultancy services) and the acquisition of consulting services, financed by the Bank for the project, will be carried out in accordance with the “Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations”, dated October 2015. Specifically, procurement would be carried out following Bank Procurement Methods and Procedures, using the relevant Bank Standard Solicitation Documents. Bidding documents are expected to be available in December 2020.

Interested bidders may obtain further information, and should confirm their interest, by contacting:

Mr. Kenneth Racombo
Principal Secretary
The Blue Economy Department
Vice President’s Office, P.O. Box 1303
Oliaji Trade Centre, 3rd Floor, Room 3
Tel: +248 432 6200
Email: kracombo@statehouse.gov.sc
cc: marylyn.vidot@statehouse.gov.sc

General Procurement Notice