SHORT-TERM CONSULTANCY ON THE REVIEW OF TIMOR LESTE MARKET ACCESSS OFFER FOR THE EU- TIMOR-LESTE INTERIM EPA (I-EPA) ACCESSION

SHORT-TERM CONSULTANCY ON THE REVIEW OF TIMOR LESTE MARKET ACCESSS OFFER FOR THE EU- TIMOR-LESTE INTERIM EPA (I-EPA) ACCESSION

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Background

The PACP region accounts for almost eighteen percent of the entire ACP membership (15/79 ACP member states) with most PACP States comprising Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries that are vulnerable to existing cycles of natural disasters which have been exacerbated by climate change. Intra-PACP trade, and trade with the broader ACP-EU group are constrained by PACPS’ small domestic markets, geographical isolation from key markets, and high connectivity barriers creating further impediments to trade.

This is further impacted by the COVID-19 disruptions to supply chains and global trade, and border closures. The regional Comprehensive EPA provided the PACPS an opportunity to pursue a legally binding Agreement that would form the basis of ongoing development relations between Pacific ACP States (PACPS) and the European Union, going forward.

PACP States have been negotiating the Comprehensive EPA with the EU since 2004. In 2007, following the expiration of the WTO Waiver to non-reciprocal trading relations between the EU and the ACP, and to safeguard their trade with the EU, Fiji and Papua New Guinea (PNG) signed onto the interim EPA (iEPA).

Samoa (December 2019) and Solomon Islands (May 2020) have acceded to the iEPA, and both Tonga and Timor-Leste have informed the EU of their intention to accede to the Agreement. The four (Fiji, PNG, Samoa and Solomon Islands) PACP states will support the implementation and the functioning of the existing iEPA, encouraging the accession of interested parties and where appropriate, broadening the scope of the iEPA.

In the Pacific Regional Integration Support Programme (PRISE) of the 11th European Development Fund (11th EDF), component 1.3 on Strengthening Pacific Intra-Regional and International Trade (SPIRIT) is being implemented by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) as the Pillar Assessed Entity (PAE).

The Specific Objective of SPIRIT is to strengthen Pacific Intra-Regional and International Trade, and this will be achieved through a coherent, multi-track engagement process at the national, sub-regional and regional levels.

Key activities include: • Strengthening PACP countries policy formulation and human resource capacities with their respective trade and investment related institutions with the provision of three Spokes/Trade Advisers to the sub-regions of Melanesia, Micronesian and Polynesia; • Strengthening capacity to implement Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA); • Coordination, implementation and update of Pacific’s Aid-for-Trade Strategy 2020- 2025 in each PACP country; including peer learning; implementation of Pacific Quality Infrastructure project and E-commerce; • Development and integration of a statistical monitoring framework for Regional Economic Integration (REI) specifically the creation of a Regional Trade Statistics Database (RTSD);

In October 2020, Timor-Leste notified the European Commission (EC) of its intention to accede to the EU – Pacific EPA and sought EC’s assistance to prepare a draft Market Access Offer (MAO).

DG TRADE has confirmed its readiness to offer support, including the preparations of Timor-Leste’s MAO to the Parties to the Agreement (EU, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Solomon Islands).

On 19 November 2020, DG TRADE and Timor-Leste’s trade and customs officials held a preliminary bilateral meeting to discuss the technical aspects of the preparation of a Market Access Offer including the global sourcing provisions for raw, chilled and processed fish, and the technical assistance available under the SPIRIT project.

Timor-Leste’s request falls within the Key Result Area 2 (KRA2) of the SPIRIT Contribution Agreement on Strengthening capacity to implement Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The short- term assistance request will be to support the review of its draft MAO for EPA accession and related activities.

Purpose

The objective of the consultancy is to undertake extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders on the review of Timor-Leste’s draft MAO for its EPA accession.

The aim is to;

(a)        provide a review of the draft Market Access Offer;

(b)       conduct consultations and workshops with Government Departments and other relevant stakeholders;

(c)        undertake technical studies, including cost-benefit analysis and impact analysis of the proposed accession;

(d)        undertake consultations with Pacific ACP EPA Parties; and the

(e)        Submission of the assessment(s) to relevant Ministry for feedback and endorsement.

Scope of Work

The Consultant will;

• Develop and submit a Work Plan in consultation with the Office of the Vice-Minister for Commerce and Industry, in particular, the National Directorate for External Trade which will delineate the activities that will be carried out by the Consultant;
• Consult extensively with all relevant stakeholders;
• Consult with Pacific ACP EPA parties
• Collect quantitative and qualitative information/data on existing trade policies;
• Submit a draft report of the consultations within [pls include timeline from 60th days of consultation work] and key findings to the Timor Leste government for feedback; and
• Organize a national workshop to present the findings and consideration by the Timor- Leste Government.

Academic Qualifications

The candidate must possess a first Degree in Law, Economics, Development Studies, Business Administration or International Relations, Post-graduate qualifications (Masters) will be an added advantage. In addition, the candidate must have at least seven (7) years working experience on trade negotiations, trade agreements and trade policy related matters.

HOW TO APPLY