Summary
Background
The Market Development Facility (MDF) is a multi-country Australian Government funded initiative, with locations in Fiji, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. MDF aims to stimulate economic growth to create improved employment and income earning opportunities for the poor by making selected sectors of the economy more competitive and stimulating business innovation. MDF is implemented by the Palladium Group and Swisscontact and started operations in Fiji in July 2011.
Investment Fiji (IF) is the official Investment Promotion Agency of the Fijian Government and focuses on attracting foreign direct investment into Fiji. The two key aims of Investment Fiji are (1) To increase the success of Fijian businesses globally and (2) To match high value capital investment with Fijian businesses and opportunities.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between MDF and Investment Fiji on 12th February 2021 to further strengthen collaboration efforts to support Investment Fiji’s capacity to promote foreign investment into Fiji and Fijian exports globally. MDF and Investment Fiji are now seeking a suitable service provider to develop an investment prospectus for Fiji’s mahogany sector. The investment prospectus will be a key document to enable Investment Fiji to effectively market Fiji’s mahogany industry and potential to foreign investors.
Mahogany was one of Fiji’s first forest plantation crops that was introduced in the 1960s and is grown in the Central/Eastern areas of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, covering approximately 50,000 hectares. These plantations are managed by Government’s commercial company, Fiji Mahogany Corporation Limited (FHCL) and sit on “iTaukei” (indigenous) land, with around 200 “Mataqali” (clans) involved in the industry as landowners.
Description
The Objective
MDF is seeking a qualified subcontractor to develop an investment prospectus for Fiji’s mahogany sector. This prospectus will be used by Investment Fiji to attract strategic foreign investors and potential joint-venture partners, with the aim of supporting the sector’s sustainable and equitable development. Key focus areas include local harvesting, transport logistics, milling, and value addition.
Scope of services
The successful Subcontractor will undertake the following tasks:
- Carry out initial consultations with IF, MDF, Fiji Hardwood Corporation Limited (FHCL), Siwatibau & Sloan legal firm, Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL), Fiji Investment Corporation Limited (FICL), potential foreign investors (identified by IF) and representatives from the Fijian Government to develop an initial framework for the investment prospectus;
- Conduct research of Fiji’s current mahogany industry and future prospects, including value chain analysis and identification of areas where foreign investment and new technology could bring about improved efficiency, productivity and premiums for Fijian mahogany.
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Develop the Investment Prospectus for Fiji’s mahogany sector detailing the following key aspects (including but not limited to and depending on recommended content):
– Fiji Mahogany industry overview
– Geographical overview of mahogany in Fiji including maps with mahogany locations pegged
– Mahogany stock in Fiji including species available, volume and sustainable yield estimates
– Key players and stakeholders involved in mahogany
– Economic strengths of Fiji
– Competitive Advantage of Fiji
– Export market analysis & growth potential
– Foreign investment and joint-venture opportunities in mahogany value chain
– Applicable fiscal incentives
– Permits and Licenses – Identify any permits, licenses or certifications required for mahogany operations
– A case study on a successful business operating in the sector
– Investor and Business Support i.e. How to Invest?
– Climate Change Considerations for Sustainability
– Considerations and alignment with latest Fiji Mahogany Act legislation.
– Contact information of relevant stakeholders and funding institutions.
- Submit the draft Investment Prospectus to IF Board of Directors, Management and MDF;
- Incorporate feedback into the draft document and obtain feedback on the final draft from the Investment Fiji Board of Directors, Management and MDF; and
- Develop a final version of the Investment Prospectus for Fiji’s mahogany sector.
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Publish the final Investor Prospectus as follows:
– Electronic: e-Book Version compatible for website and mobile accessibility;
– Develop a QR code (to be inserted on the prospectus) with a link to the e-book version on Investment Fiji’s website; and
– PDF Version for emailing.
Deliverables
The expected outcome is a Final Investment Prospectus for Fiji’s Mahogany Industry accepted by Investment Fiji Board of Directors, Management and MDF, and the expected deliverables are as follows:
- Submission of a final workplan outlining the key activities with corresponding timelines, deliverables and data collection methodology.
- First draft of the mahogany investment prospectus.
- Final version of the mahogany investment prospectus inclusive of feedback from MDF and Investment Fiji.
Experience and qualifications
- Relevant qualification and experience of key personnel in the field of marketing or similar;
- Demonstrated prior experience developing investment prospectuses;
- Minimum 5 years of experience in this field;
- Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills;
- Demonstrated ability to produce high quality documents;
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines;
- Understanding of the global mahogany industry and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) premium international markets will also be considered an added advantage;
- Prior experience working in the mahogany industry in Fiji or other countries where the indigenous landowners have been involved in commercial forestry development will be considered an added advantage.
