EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

FOSTERING THE GROWTH OF THE BOGURA LIGHT ENGINEERING SECTOR THROUGH HARNESSING THE POWER OF DIGITAL PLATFORMS

Swisscontact is inviting proposals from potentialreputable organazations interested in developing, owning, and promoting an e-commerce platform dedicated to showcasing and selling light engineering products from the Bogura region of Bangladesh. People are at the core of what we do; we take pride in creating an atmosphere of continuous learning coupled with a strong focus on a collaborative work environment.

About PRABRIDDHI

PRABRIDDHI is a Local Economic Development (LED) project, funded by the Government of Bangladesh and Switzerland, and co-implemented by the Local Government Division (LGD) and Swisscontact. The pilot phase of PRABRIDDHI came to a successful end by August 2020. Phase 1 of the project started in January 2021 for a period of four years and focuses on further development of the LED approach in participating municipalities, capacity building of stakeholders and facilitators of LED and an anchoring of the approach on national level. Throughout the phase, the project will be implemented in seven municipalities. Shibganj, Jashore, Bogura, Dinajpur, Kushtia, Cox’s Bazar and Bhairab.

Objective
We are seeking expressions of interest from reputable organizations interested in developing, owning, and promoting an e-commerce platform dedicated to showcasing and selling light engineering products from the Bogura region of Bangladesh. The objective is to establish a robust online marketplace that promotes Bogura's light engineering sector, enhances market access, and drives sales growth.

The specific objectives are as follows:

  • To develop a user-friendly e-commerce platform tailored to the needs of Bogura's light engineering sector.
  • To own and manage the platform, including maintenance, updates, and customer support.
  • To implement effective marketing and promotional strategies to drive traffic, increase product visibility, and facilitate sales.
  • To foster economic growth and sustainability for Bogura's light engineering industry.

Scope of work:
The selected firm will be responsible for:

  • Designing and developing a fully functional e-commerce platform optimized for showcasing light engineering products.
  • Implementing robust security features to ensure safe and secure transactions for buyers and sellers.
  • Integrating payment gateways and logistics solutions to facilitate seamless transactions and order fulfilment.
  • Owning and managing the platform, including ongoing maintenance, updates, and technical support.
  • Developing and implementing marketing and promotional campaigns to drive traffic and sales.
  • Monitoring platform performance, analysing user data, and optimizing strategies for maximum effectiveness.

The prospective organization/company should also develop a business model addressing the following elements:

  • Detailed description of the revenue generation strategy, cost structure, and sustainability plan for the proposed E-commerce platform.
  • Realistic forecasts of financial returns, considering the specific challenges and growth potential of the Bogura LE sector.
  • Strategies to sustainably operate and grow the platform, acknowledging the slow-moving nature of the sector.

Application details:
Firms interested in submitting expressions of interest must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Demonstrated experience and expertise in e-commerce platform development, ownership, and promotion.
  • Technical capabilities and resources necessary for platform development, maintenance, and marketing.
  • A proven track record of successful projects in similar initiatives.
  • Strong presence and working experience in Bogura region.
  • Financial stability and ability to manage the costs associated with platform development, ownership, and promotion.

Submission Details

Interested organizations express an interest by filling out the attached EOI Form and a cover letter (Max 2 page) by 7th April 2024 to the following e-mail address: bd.prabriddhi@swisscontact.org.

Note: Please mention “EXPRESSION OF INTEREST_FOSTERING THE GROWTH OF THE BOGURA LIGHT ENGINEERING SECTOR” on the top of the email subject line.

Expressions of interest should include:

  • Organization’s profile, highlighting relevant experience and expertise in e-commerce platform development and promotion.
  • Proposed approach and methodology for developing, owning, and promoting the e-commerce platform.
  • Details of technical capabilities and resources available for platform development, maintenance, and marketing.
  • Examples of past projects or case studies demonstrating success in similar initiatives.
  • Any additional relevant information or qualifications

Following the response to the initial EOI, an online discussion session will be hosted by PRABRIDDHI for selected organizations and a detailed intervention concept/TOR will be shared.
Please refer to the following links:

N.B.: Swisscontact reserves the right to reject or cancel any application.