CALL for applications for selection of a senior expert to deliver training to the Customs Administration of North Macedonia on Assessing Financial Solvency of Companies Participating in Customs Procedures
USAID’s Partnerships for Economic Growth Activity implemented by Palladium International works with resource partners to unlock the growth, productivity and employment potential of micro, small and medium enterprises in North Macedonia. Component 4 of the Activity supporting regional economic integration of the country is implementedby the Center for Development Policies IDEAS DePo.
IDEAS DePo is launching this call to request applications for design and delivery of a training on Assessing Financial Solvency of Companies Participating in Customs Procedures for the Customs Administration of North Macedonia.
1. Scope of the assignment
1.1 Context
Financial solvency of companies demonstrating their good financial standing and ability to cover future customs debts is one of the key prerequisites for multiple customs measures facilitating import, export and transit procedures under the Customs Law and the relevant subordinate legislation in North Macedonia. Customs procedures requiring assessment of the financial solvency of participants in customs operations include, but are not limited to the implementation of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program and the issuing of authorizations for simplified customs procedures. Moreover, prudent assessment of companies’ financial standing is key prerequisite for decisions authorizing reduction of guarantees securing the customs debt and the reduction percentages thereof.
Financial solvency of companies is evaluated by several departments and units at the Customs Administration of North Macedonia (CANM) and the scope off this process depends on the type of the customs procedure and the phase of the clearance process at which the controls are taking place. The number of customs employees engaged in the assessment of financial solvency is sizable; however, most of them do not have the education background, nor the experience and skills to perform the financial solvency assessments required by the Customs Law and the related regulations. Strengthening their capacity to understand the concept of financial solvency, as well as to use and interpret data available in public databases and companies’ records would result in realistic financial solvency assessments that would ensure that companies with sound finances receive maximum benefits when participating in customs procedures while at the same time protecting public fiscal interests.
To address this assistance need, Partnerships for Economic Growth Activity and IDEAS DePo are organizing two one-day trainings for CANM on Assessing Financial Solvency of Companies Participating in Customs Procedures.
1.2 Training – objective, participants, language
The key objective of this activity is to strengthen the capacity of CANM employees to perform prudent assessment of the financial solvency of companies participating in customs procedures thus facilitating cross-border trade for trusted traders.
Partnerships for Economic Growth Activity and IDEAS DePo envisage organization of two identical one-day trainings for a maximum of 80 participants (40 per training) from different departments and units in CANM.
This call refers only to consultant services for designing the training program and delivering the content. Other organizational details, including identifying of and inviting participants, booking the venue and covering the cost of refreshments and technical equipment are responsibility of IDEAS DePo and CANM.
IDEAS DePo and CANM will also provide to the selected consultant all laws and regulations that contain provisions regulating the financial solvency requirements for companies participating in customs procedures and be available for consultations and advice related to the currentcapacity of the training participants and the respective needs for improvement.
Trainings content and materials should be prepared and delivered in Macedonian language.
1.3 Deliverables and level of effort
The anticipated level of effort for this assignment is 8 (eight) days.
The list of deliverables includes the following:
1.4 Deadline for completion of the assignment
All deliverables listed under item 1.3 above should be completed in the period March – April 2024.
2. Eligibility and qualifications
3. Application procedure
Applications under this call should include the following documents in English language:
Please submit your application in electronic form to [email protected],no later than March 11, 2024 at 16:00h.
Upon reviewing submitted applications, IDEAS DePo will shortlist candidates who will be invited for an interview.
Incomplete applications will not be considered for evaluation.