Call for Proposals from Qualified Firms

for Provision of Legal, Regulatory and Tax advisory services

Background:

iDE is an international NGO with over 30 years of experience in designing and delivering market-based anti-poverty programs in 11 countries. We are a world leader in making markets work for the poor as well as the longest established market development specialist NGO in Bangladesh. iDE believes that markets can be a powerful force for improving smallholder prosperity by creating income and livelihood opportunities for poor rural households.  iDE Bangladesh currently has eight projects in agricultural mechanization and markets, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and access to finance with a focus on women’s economic empowerment and climate-smart technologies.

Program and assignment Overview:

The Feed the Future Bangladesh Cereal Systems Initiatives for South Asia Mechanization Extension Activity (CSISA MEA) is a five-year project, funded by USAID and implemented by CIMMYT and its partners: iDE and Georgia Institute of Technology (GT). The project aims to support the growth and expansion of agricultural mechanization in Bangladesh. A part of the project activities the project will improve access-to-finance (“A2F”) for entrepreneurs and small businesses involved in agricultural machinery manufacturing, sales or service provision. In particular, the project will explore means to mobilize market-based capital, primarily from private sector lenders, investors, donors, and development finance institutions to provide this financing. 

iDE is seeking to engage a reputed Bangladeshi firm (“Adviser”) to provide advisory services on Bangladeshi legal, regulatory, and tax pertaining to the planned creation of Bangladeshi financing vehicle(s), structure(s) and instrument(s) (collectively, the “Transaction”) to mobilize non-bank capital from onshore and offshore institutional investors to fund the purchase, lease, or rental of agricultural equipment by Bangladeshi individuals of small businesses. The Transaction would need to be tax efficient and comply with all applicable Bangladeshi laws and regulations including foreign exchange regulations. The Transaction could involve the origination, servicing, and securitization of loan, lease, hire purchase or similar instruments by onshore banks or non-bank financial institutions (“NBFI”).

Please see the attached ToR for further information and details on the proposal submission process.

Any queries regarding the TOR should be sent to Mr. Md. Zaheedul Islam Chowdhury (zislam@ideglobal.org).

Interested firms are requested to submit a fee cap to provide the Advisory Services. Please submit your application to bangladesh.procurement@ideglobal.org

The submission deadline is 01 October 2020 at 5 PM Bangladesh Standard Time.