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1. Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Peace Indepenence Democracy Unity Prosperity
Counterpart Logo
DOMEP
No…………..
Vientiane Capital, Date……….
BDS Network Development TOR on
BDS Market Assessment (Demand Side) and Lao BDS Network Manual Updating
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Place: Department of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (DoSMEP)
Project Name: BDS Network Development, GIZ-HRDME
Field Cooperation: Capacity Building on BDS Network Development
Activity Name: BDS Market Assessment and Lao BDS Manual Development.
Activity-Code (DOSMEP and GIZ-HRDME):… 09.2296.3.001.40
Implementing Agency: DoSMEP
Collaborating staff: DoSMEP; Mr. Sa Siriphong, Director of SME Support Division,
Mr. Soutchay Chayvong (Deputy Director General of DoSMEP, and DoSMEP
technical staff. GIZ-HRDME: Mr. Sith Soukchaleunphone (SME Development
Advisor) and support by Mrs. Kirsten Focken (Senior Advisor) and Ms. Jasmin
Khalaf (Associate Advisor).
1. Background
The overall objective of DoSMEP’s activities in the field of Business Development Services
(BDS) is to improve the performance of small and medium enterprises (SME) in Laos, in
order to achieve higher economic growth and employment, reduce poverty, and meet social
objectives. The term BDS providers encompasses all enterprises and organizations whose
services have the potential to improve the performance of businesses, especially the wide array
of nonfinancial services critical to the entry, survival, productivity, competitiveness, and growth
of enterprises (Donor Committee for Enterprise Development, DCED 2001). DoSMEP sees the
enhancement of BDS provision as a priority and consequently, several measures of the SME
Development Strategy/Action Plan 2011 - 2015 have been geared towards supporting SMEs
with business development services. One of these measures is the formation of a BDS
Provider Network.
A BDS provider network has recently been established in Laos by DoSMEP, with financial
and technical support of GIZ-HRDME and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The BDS
Network comprises four main activity areas that have been identified by DoSMEP together
with BDS providers during the first annual work plan, which covers a time period up to 2014.
The activity areas encompass supply and demand side stimulation, network structure
strengthening and capacity building for staff in charge of the network.
As part of this Action Plan, DoSMEP now requests GIZ HRDME to support the operation
and development of the network in the scope of a market assessment of the demand side.
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2. 2. Objectives of the Assignment
The objectives of the BDS market assessment are to analyse the BDS demand, identify
constraints that hinder market development, and to identify facilitative interventions that
address these constraints in order to stimulate demand.. The findings will be presented at a
stakeholder’s workshop and the opinions and recommendations of the participants shell be
taken into consideration. This report will hence provide insight into the BDS market and a
number of options that could stimulate the BDS market.
3. Description of Assignment tasks
The Consultant will work closely with DoSMEP and the BDS Provider Advisory Board in
order to conduct two major activities: The first activity is to conduct a study on the SME
market potential for the BDS Network in Vientiane, Luangprabang and Savanakhet. Status
quo. opportunities as well as constraints should be identified and BDS market development
interventions suggested in order to efficiently provide BDS services required by SMEs for
growth and competitiveness.
Second phase is to conduct a workshop with the BDS advisory board and network members,
to present the findings of the BDS market assessment to the BDS Network and finalize the
report according to recommendation from participants.
The specific tasks of the assignments are as follows:
 To explore/identify the existing SME demand for BDS as well as to identify other
new potential BDS target markets in the studied provinces.
 To conduct a detailed survey to identify SMEs requirements/needs, considering the
key opportunities and constraints to deliver required services for SMEs.
 Categorize and prepare roster of SMEs and BDS providers for SMEs in target areas.
4. Deliverables and time frame
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The consultant is expected to deliver (i) a market assessment for BDS amongst SMEs
in Laos, (ii) a catalogue of potential activities to address market constraints and
stimulate demand, and (iii) a register of SMEs and BDS providers for SMEs in target
area.
The duration of this task shall be two months after signing the contract agreement
with DoSMEP. The draft version of the assessment report should be submitted two
weeks after the field research is completed. The final version shall be submitted one
week after receiving DOSMEP and GIZ-HRDME comments on the draft version.
The results should be presented using PowerPoint to the BDS Provider Network
Advisory Board and its members.
All deliverables are to be submitted electronically to HRDME staff.
5. Consultant Requirement & Experience
 Must be working in a similar or related field for at least 5 years.
 Knowledge of relevant research approaches,design of subsector analysis and market
assessments
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Strong skills in data gathering (through different techniques as appropriate; such as
surveys, focus group discussions, secondary sources)
Good quality control systems for data gathering
Strong knowledge of SME promotion and BDS markets
Basic vision for what the project should aim to achieve (for example, enhance
efficiency and competitiveness of SMEs)
Awareness of the local culture, values, and circumstances
Presence in the country and existence of basic infrastructure (such as office,)
Ability to see the bigger picture to combine various aspects of the research and
recommendations into a coherent project
6. Budget
The consultant must submit a detailed financial proposal and cost breakdown
Inputs from DOSMEP and GIZ -HRDME
The following inputs will be made available from DoSMEP and GIZ-HRDME:
 Budget to carry out the assignment, relevant documents, and other available
information.
 Staff inputs to assist the consultant in the various stages of assignment. Staff inputs
from DoSMEP: 2 technical officers and 1 supervisor, staff input from GIZ-HRDME:
1 SME Development Advisor.
Contact person: Sith SOUKCHALEUNPHONE,
SME Development Advisor
Human Resource Development for
a Market Economy
Tel: +856 20 23033338, 56505557
Email: sith.soukchaleunphone@giz.de, Sith.itc@hotmail.com
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