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Expression of Interest are invited for Review of South Africas Special Economic Zones Framework The WBG team seeks to hire a consultancy firm to prepare a review of the SEZ regime in South Africa. This review should take stock of the experience to date with this regime, assess its success in meetings its objectives (e.g., improved investment climate, foster economic diversification, investment, exports, and job creation) and its fiscal impacts, and highlight key findings and lessons learned that will inform the WBGs ongoing dialogue with the GoSA. The assignment will entail conducting desk work to collect and review key policy documents and available literature on the SEZ regime. The consultants analysis should cover the following main aspects: A. Provide an overview of the SEZ landscape: a. Identifying how many zones are operational today, and objectives when designed, b. Are these SEZs integrated into regional development polices/ plans, c. For each active zone collect the following information: g: i. Location, ownership of the SEZ, sector of focus (if any) ii. Volume of investment attracted, quantity and quality of jobs created, etc. iii. Current occupancy levels of each zone. iv. Stage of development, years in operation, future investment plans v. key characteristics of tenant companies in each zone (e.g. size, sector, ownership), vi. Estimate the size of public investments made and investment incentives provided, and investment take ups by investors in each zone. B. Review the legal, regulatory, and institutional framework that govern SEZs in South Africa: a. What is the overall regulatory framework in South Africa inclusive of the designation, investment promotion and operationalization of SEZs b. What is overarching SEZ policy in South Africa? How has it evolved over the years? The various financing models used both for their development and operations. c. Identify strengths and weaknesses of the regulatory framework, fiscal investment incentives, financing models, and compare these to good international practices. C. Assess the attractiveness of the benefits offered to tenants in existing zones. a. What is the infrastructure, services fiscal incentives and regulatory advantages that tenants benefit from in these zones compared to those who operate outside the zone. b. What is the estimated fiscal and non-fiscal costs of these benefits? D. Present a few case studies of well performing zones and non-performing zones to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of the SEZ model in SA. The World Bank Group invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. for firms; CV and cover letter for individuals). Please note that the total size of all attachments should be less than 5MB. Firms may associate to enhance their qualifications unless otherwise stated in the solicitation documents. Where a group of firms associate to submit an EOI, they must indicate which is the lead firm. If shortlisted, the firm identified in the EOI as the lead firm will be invited to the request for proposal (RFP) phase. Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/4336/view.html
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