TPSP Program - CENTRAL ASIAN TRADE FORUM 2021

TRADE PROMOTION SERVICE PROVIDERS – TPSP PROGRAM

The USAID Trade Central Asia activity provides comprehensive technical assistance to Central Asian entrepreneurs in entering foreign markets. One channel of this support is the Trade Promotion Service Providers (TPSP) Program with the implementation period from May 2022 to September 2025. The TPSP program aims to help Central Asian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) promote their products for export with the help of local consultants.

TPSP Program Stages

1. Export Development Support to SMEs

Electronic
Directory of Trade Promotion Consultants
for exporters

Selecting TPSP Program participants based on the applications (Forms 1.1 and 1.2) from consultants and exporters

Training and networking events for exporters and consultants

Partial covering of the costs for consulting services:

Initiation of services by a consultant or exporter
Approval of ToR by parties
Consultants’ application to TCA (Form 2.2)
Signing a tripartite contract: an exporter, a consultant and TCA

2. Export Promotion Support to SMEs

Arrange the participation of TPSP members in:

foreign exhibitions
trade missions
B2B meetings

The following training courses will be organized for TPSP participants in 2022:

For exporters: “Trade information analysis to identify priority markets”
For consultants: “Support for business export activities”

TPSP PROGRAM CONDITIONS

USAID TCA provides coverage of up to 50% of costs of marketing, networking, branding, and preparation for certification services (ISO/FSSC 22000/HACCP, Oeko-Tex, etc.) related to export promotion, but up to $5,000 for each service. Each SME may apply for two services.

List of services co-funded by the TPSPs program

Several services of the same stream can be grouped into one service contract.

Marketing

– Market Analysis
– Marketing research
– Development of a marketing plan for export
– Export strategy

Branding

– Development of brand and packaging design
– Development of brand and promotion concept

Networking

– Search for potential buyers and entities for B2B meetings
– Export management services

Certification

– Analysis of readiness for certification
– Staff trainings
– Preparation of documents for certification process

To receive one or more types of TPSP technical assistance (training, consulting services, export promotion) SMEs should be accredited by completing Form 1.1. for exporters and Form 1.2. for consultants (see details in the TPSP Application Procedure).

The TPSP technical assistance package for SMEs is provided in stages, meaning that before applying for participation in international fairs, SMEs shall first go through the export preparation stage.

SMEs may engage consultants from Central Asia. The list of accredited consultants who are members of the TPSP Network is available here. Consultants may accordingly offer their services to SMEs from Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan).

A two-stage payment method shall apply:

Basic payment for the provision of advisory services in accordance with the ToR;
An additional bonus payment (P4R – pay for result) for the amount of 10% of the total consulting service cost will be paid if the service provided by TPSP leads to the export of goods or concluded export contracts, during the TPSP service implementation period or within six months of its completion.

TPSP PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

For consultants

TPSP Directory: no restrictions

TPSP Network will provide marketing, branding, networking and preparation for certification services

Service providers: marketing, branding, networking and preparation for certification
At least 2 years of work experience
Natural person, IE and LLP
2 or more successful examples of services rendered
women-consultants (in priority)

For exporters

Producer – start-up or existing exporter
SME with at least 3 years of work experience
IE and LLP
Sector: food, light, chemical industry and construction materials
Participant of no more than two donor programs
Willingness to cover the remainder of costs
women-exporters (in priority)

TPSP APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Consultants and SMEs shall complete the following forms to confirm their intention to participate in the TPSP program:

Form 1.1. Expression of Interest (EOI) for exporters to participate in the Trade Promotion Service Provider (TPSP) Program
Form 1.2. Expression of Interest (EOI) to join the Trade Promotion Service Provider (TPSP) Network

Within ten working days, the applicant receives confirmation of admission to the TPSP program or rejection of the application in case of non-compliance with TPSP criteria. The decision to admit an applicant to the TPSP program is made by a special commission composed of representatives of export agencies, business associations, chambers of commerce, business development projects (EBRD, etc.), and USAID. After receiving confirmation of admission to the TPSP program, an applicant may apply for one or more types of TPSP technical assistance (training, cost-sharing for consulting services, export promotion):

Form 2.1. Application form for TPSP Training Courses
Form 2.2. Application for consulting service contract
Form 2.3. Application for participation in foreign events promoting SME products

Subsequently, the process of signing the necessary documents to cover part of the cost of consulting services and participation in foreign events to promote SME exports will be carried out.

FAQ

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CONTACTS

If you have any questions, please email: tca_tpsp_program@dai.com and copy tpsp.program.tca@gmail.com