Project Description
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “EBRD” or the “Bank”) has been investing in the agri-food value chains of Early Transition Countries (“ETC”), in operations ranging from primary agriculture, to processing, distribution and retail. Countries in the EBRD’s region, including Georgia, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan provide for excellent opportunities to develop horticultural value chains, including growing nuts, early fruits and vegetables. However, these countries have limited land and water resources. Efficient use of resources and focus on growing high value crops that could be exported or sold domestically is therefore imperative to support transition in these countries. Similarly, producers need support in identifying markets as well as business opportunities abroad to market their products. In countries such as Georgia, which is facing increased competition from imports as a result of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (“DCFTA”) signed with the EU in 2014, it is important to improve the competitiveness of local producers as well as assist them in realising trade opportunities in new and advanced markets.
This Project aims to identify opportunities and potential for future investment in the horticultural sector across Georgia, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, while supporting the capacities of producers across the identified value chains. To do so the Project will:
- Conduct value chain analysis to identify investment opportunities along horticultural value chains;
- Provide capacity development along the horticultural value chains in support of the DCFTA implementation in Georgia;
- Develop capacities of horticulture value chain actors in the four above countries and offer opportunities for knowledge exchange and trade linkages with other actors in the region (such as Ukraine).
This project will support existing EBRD investments and the development of backward linkages of primary producers with processors and food retailers.
Originally this project was approved in July 2017. In early 2018 an extension was approved to provide further capacity development along horticultural value chains (the project’s component 3) as follows:
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Value chain analyses with identification of profitable investment opportunities of soft fruits and fresh and dried apricots in Tajikistan;
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Fresh produce retail audits to develop trade opportunities for selected value chains in local and export markets in Georgia, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Findings will be communicated via regional investment promotion conferences accompanied by a B2B forum.
- Practical trainings, knowledge exchange among regional stakeholders, and study tours for relevant sub-sectors (including SME stakeholders).
Procurement Enquiries
Any competitive selections for business opportunities relating to this project will be published on the EBRD's website: Consultancy Procurement Opportunities.
General enquiries
EBRD project enquiries not related to procurement:
Tel: +44 20 7338 7168
Email: projectenquiries@ebrd.com
Access to Information Policy (AIP)
The AIP sets out how the EBRD discloses information and consults with its stakeholders so as to promote better awareness and understanding of its strategies, policies and operations following its entry into force on 1 January 2020. Please visit the Access to Information Policy page to find out what information is available from the EBRD website.
Specific requests for information can be made using the EBRD Enquiries form
Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM)
If efforts to address environmental, social or public disclosure concerns with the Client or the Bank are unsuccessful (e.g. through the Client’s Project-level grievance mechanism or through direct engagement with Bank management), individuals and organisations may seek to address their concerns through the EBRD’s Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM).
IPAM independently reviews Project issues that are believed to have caused (or to be likely to cause) harm. The purpose of the Mechanism is: to support dialogue between Project stakeholders to resolve environmental, social and public disclosure issues; to determine whether the Bank has complied with its Environmental and Social Policy or Project-specific provisions of its Access to Information Policy; and where applicable, to address any existing non-compliance with these policies, while preventing future non-compliance by the Bank.
Please visit the Independent Project Accountability Mechanism webpage to find out more about IPAM and its mandate; how to submit a Request for review; or contact IPAM via email ipam@ebrd.com to get guidance and more information on IPAM and how to submit a request.
