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United Nations Economic Commission for Africa REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

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United Nations Economic Commission for Africa REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

This notice is placed by UNECA. The accuracy, reliability and completeness of the contents of furnished information is the responsibility of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. You are therefore requested to direct all queries regarding this EOI to United Nations Economic Commission

for Africa using the fax number or e-mail address provided below.

Title of the EOI:

Procurement of Emergency Medicines for Pharmaceutical Items LTA

Date of this EOI: 10 April 2025                        Closing Date for Receipt of EOI:  25 April 2025

EOI Number: EOIUNECA23570

Beneficiary Country/Territory: Ethiopia

Commodity/Service category: Health Services

Address EOI response by fax or e-mail to the Attention of:  Ms. Etsegenet Teka/ Mr.Ali Assaad / Ms. Aster Zewde

Fax Number: N/A

E-mail Address: etsegenet.argaw@un.org

UNSPSC Code:

51000000 – Drugs and Pharmaceutical Products

51440000 – Radiopharmaceuticals and contrast media

51441600 – Diagnostic agents and radiopharmaceuticals

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENTS

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, hereby seeks expressions of interest (EOI) from qualified and experienced vendors for the Procurement of Emergency Medicines for Pharmaceutical Items LTA.

Interested firms will be invited to the tender by an “Invitation To Bid” (ITB) at a later stage. This tender envisages a selection-capable bidding firm for the Procurement of Emergency Medicines for Pharmaceutical Items LTA.

The United Nations Healthcare Center (UNHCC) looks to procure unavailable essential emergency medicines from pharmaceutical wholesalers and community pharmacies. The initiative aims in this procurement include prevent stockouts and ensure the continuous provision of high quality healthcare services to UNHCC beneficiaries.

The continuous availability of essential emergency medicines by establishing contracts is: To minimize stockouts and ensure the steady availability of essential medicines.

To enhance the responsiveness of the pharmacy unit to the needs of healthcare providers. To improve overall healthcare delivery and patient satisfaction among staff.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance:

•           Must be legally registered and licensed to operate as a pharmaceutical wholesaler, or community pharmacy.

•          Must possess all necessary licenses, permits, and registrations required by the relevant national drug regulatory authority.

•          Must ensure that all supplied medicines & Medical supplies are legally imported or manufactured, with all required documentation (e.g., import licenses, certificates of origin) provided upon request. Quality Assurance:

•          The vendor must maintain high standards of quality control and assurance throughout their supply chain. Medicines must meet all relevant quality standards and specifications set by the local regulatory authority.

•          Must have a proven track record of supplying high-quality, authentic, and safe medications. Capacity and Reliability:

•           The vendor must demonstrate the capacity to consistently supply the required medicines in the quantities and timeframe specified by the UNHCC.

•          Must demonstrate a reliable and consistent supply chain to ensure uninterrupted availability of medications.

•          Must maintain adequate stock levels to meet the UNHCC’s anticipated demand.

•          The vendor should provide information on their stock levels and supply chain capabilities.

Please note that the ECA is precluded from entering into contract with a firm that is not registered with ECA. Those interested in responding to this EOI but not currently registered as vendors with ECA, are encouraged to register before submission of the EOI in the United Nations Global Market Place (UNGM). Further details may be obtained by visiting https://www.ungm.org/Vendor/Registration. In order to be eligible for UNGM registration, please make sure to declare in writing the prerequisite for eligibility criteria itemized from A-F as included in EOI instructions attached.

    

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS / INFORMATION (IF ANY)

NOTE

Information on tendering for the UN Procurement System is available free of charge at the following address: https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice

Only the United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) has been authorised to collect a nominal fee from vendors that wish to receive automatically Procurement Notices or Requests for Expression Of Interest. Vendors interested in this Tender Alert Service are invited to subscribe on http://www.ungm.org

Vendors interested in participating in the planned solicitation process should submit the Vendor Response Form of this EOI electronically (through the link available on the next page) before the closing date set forth above.

VENDOR RESPONSE

NOTICE

         Companies can only participate in solicitations of the UN Secretariat after completing their registration

(free of charge) at the United Nations Global Marketplace (www.ungm.org).

     As you express interest in the planned solicitation by submitting this response form, please verify that your company is registered under its full legal name on the United Nations Global Marketplace (www.ungm.org) and that your application has been submitted to the UN Secretariat.

     While companies can participate in solicitations after completion of registration at Basic Level, we strongly recommend all companies to register at least at Level 1 under the United Nations Secretariat prior to participating in any solicitations.

     Companies are reminded of the restrictions of employment of former UN personnel that were involved in the procurement process during their last three years of service as per ST/SGB/2006/15, including (a) employing those personnel for one year after separation of service and (b) allowing those personnel to communicate with, or appear before, active UN personnel for matters related to the procurement process for two years after separation of service. Violation of the provisions of ST/SGB/2006/15 may lead to suspension of the registration of the company as a UN vendor.

PLEASE NOTE: You should express your interest to this EOI electronically at:

https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/263994

In case you have difficulties submitting your interest electronically, please contact etsegenet.argaw@un.org directly for instructions.

EOI INSTRUCTIONSr egistering as a Vendor with the United Nations

Vendors interested in fulfilling the requirement described above must be registered at the UN Global Marketplace (www.ungm.org) with the UN Secretariat in order to be eligible to participate in any solicitation. Information on the registration process can be found at https://www.un.org/Depts/ptd/vendors.

Prerequisites for Eligibility

In order to be eligible for UN registration, you must declare that:

A.   Your company (as well as any parent, subsidiary or affiliate companies) is not listed in, or associated with a company or individual listed in:

I.       the         Compendium         of         United         Nations         Security         Council         Sanctions         Lists

(https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/un-sc-consolidated-list), or

II.       the IIC Oil for Food List website or, if listed on either, this has been disclosed to the United Nations

Procurement Division in writing.

B.   Your company (as well as any parent, subsidiary or affiliate companies) is not currently removed or suspended by the

United Nations or any other UN organisation (including the World Bank);

C.   Your company (as well as any parent, subsidiary of affiliate companies) is not under formal investigation, nor have been sanctioned within the preceding three (3) years, by any national authority of a United Nations Member State for engaging or having engaged in proscribed practices, including but not limited to: corruption, fraud, coercion, collusion, obstruction, or any other unethical practice;

D.   Your company has not declared bankruptcy, are not involved in bankruptcy or receivership proceedings, and there is no judgment or pending legal action against your company that could impair your company’s operations in the foreseeable future;

E.   Your company does not employ, or anticipate employing, any person(s) who is, or has been a UN staff member within the last year, if said UN staff member has or had prior professional dealings with the Vendor in his/her capacity as UN staff member within the last three years of service with the UN (in accordance with UN post-employment restrictions published in ST/SGB/2006/15).

F.    Your company undertakes not to engage in proscribed practices (including but not limited to: corruption, fraud, coercion, collusion, obstruction, or any other unethical practice), with the UN or any other party, and to conduct business in a manner that averts any financial, operational, reputational or other undue risk to the UN.

For Registered Vendors: Vendors already registered at the UN Global Marketplace with the UN Secretariat must ensure that the information and documentation (e.g. financial statements, address, contact name, etc.) provided in connection with their registration are up to date in UNGM. Please verify and ensure that your company is registered under its full legal name.

For Vendors Interested in Registration: Vendors not yet registered should apply for registration on the United Nations Global        Marketplace    (http://www.ungm.org);    information    on    the    registration    process    can    be    found    at https://www.un.org/Depts/ptd/vendors. Vendors must complete the registration process prior to the closing date of the REOI.  Vendors who have not completed the UNGM registration process with the UN Secretariat before the closing date of the REOI are not considered eligible to participate in solicitations of the UN Secretariat. We strongly recommend all companies to register at least at Level 1 under the UN Secretariat prior to participating in any solicitations.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Any false, incomplete or defective vendor registration may result in the rejection of the application or cancellation of an already existing registration.

2)  EOI Process

Vendors interested in participating in the planned solicitation process should forward their expression of interest (EOI) to United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) by the closing date set forth in this EOI. Due to the high volume of communications UNECA is not in a position to issue confirmation of receipt of EOIs.

Please note that no further details of the planned solicitation can be made available to the vendors prior to issuance of the solicitation documents.

This EOI is issued subject to the conditions contained in the EOI introductory page available at https://www.un.org/Depts/ptd/eoi.

INVITATION FOR PRINTING SUPPLIERS’ FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT TENDER  Re-Advertised

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INVITATION FOR PRINTING SUPPLIERS’ FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT TENDER  Re-Advertised

Tender Reference #: ITT/IN-SCI-ET-2025-004

Save the Children International (SCI, Ethiopia), the world’s leading independent non-profit organization for children, intends to enter into an agreement with printing suppliers for the items listed below. This will be based on a framework agreement for a period of two year.

Potential suppliers may obtain the tender documents from April 13, 2025, to May 4, 2025, through the link provided below.

Eligibility Documents:

  • Renewed Valid Business License
  • Company profile listing the bidder’s address, branches, structure, resources, etc.

Submission Instructions:

  • Tenders must be submitted via email to ethiopia.bidsubm@savethechildren.org
  • Submit Compiled document, clearly marked with the bidder’s name, address, and the tender reference number and title as stated above.
  • The deadline for submission is May 4, 2025.

The Save the Children Procurement Committee will open tender responses on May 5, 2024.

For the official bid link, please visit https://ethiojobs.net/job/XD1JDVr5gq-invitation-to-tender

SCI reserves the right to accept or reject this bid, in partial, or in its entirety.

Choose your battles wisely

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Choose your battles wisely

“Choose your battles wisely. After all, life isn’t measured by how many times you stood up to fight. It’s not winning battles that makes you happy, but it’s how many times you turned away and chose to look into a better direction. Life is too short to spend it on warring. Fight only the most, most, most important ones, let the rest go.” — C. JoyBell C.

To choose your battles means to be selective of the problems, arguments, and confrontations that you get involved in. Instead of fighting every problem, you save your time only for the things that matter. This means fighting the most important battles and letting go of the rest.

Our priorities determine which issues are the most important and thus what battle we choose to fight and which ones to let go. In other words, our priorities will tell us how to use our time effectively. Or do they?  

Very often people say that they need more time to do what they need to do, to complete their assignment, or even to take time off. Well, nobody is going to get more time. There are only twenty-four hours in a day and that is it. No matter what you do, you will not get more today or tomorrow.

So, time is precious indeed and needs to be handled with care or managed so to speak. We need to realise though that time management has nothing to do with the clock. The clock will keep on ticking. That is a fact. Time management instead has everything to do with the way we organize and control our activities. We cannot save time, lose time, turn back the clock or have more time tomorrow than today. Time is unemotional and uncontrolled. It moves forward regardless of circumstances and in life creates a level playing field for everyone. So, since we cannot change time, we must instead change our approach to it.

Very often I find myself very busy trying to get things done. And I am not alone. We run around here and there and join the rat race from morning to night, just to find ourselves exhausted and not satisfied that we have done enough or that we have done what was most important.  And so, we continue to work later, and during the weekend, forgetting to spend quality time with the ones closest to us, our family and friends. A very important gift is therefore to be able to choose our battles wisely and leave unimportant things undone. You see, we can do and have anything we want but we cannot do and have everything we want. We need to make choices. We need to do the right things and do them right. The rest we must learn to let go. So, the biggest challenge we face is to know what battles to choose and what are the right things to do. Next, to make sure that we actually do them, instead of being side-tracked by other issues that come our way, very often other people’s issues. The reason why most goals are not achieved or why projects are not completed in time is because time is spent to do second things first. While most of us know deep inside what really needs to be done, we are often caught by a thousand other issues that come our way from the moment we wake up and get ready to go to work. Chances are that before even leaving the house we received one or two telephone calls, distracting us from what really needs to be done. Interestingly enough, it is other people that distract us and make us do other things, most probably their things. But even our own desires can be so diverse, and our attention can be so scattered that we often are not sure what should get our attention. That is why we need to focus. To be successful, we cannot just run on the fast track. No, we need to run on our own track. People who reach their potential and fulfil their dreams determine and act on their priorities, every day.

So how do we do that? Here is where planning our time comes in. Pilots plan their flight, including a plan B should things go wrong, and then they fly their plan. Scuba divers plan their dive and then they dive their plan. Should things go wrong underwater, they also follow protocols to deal with the issue at hand. Interesting enough, in both examples the plans are made by teams of two: the captain and co-pilot and in the case of scuba diving, the dive buddies. These principles can be applied in managing our business, organization and life. In other words: “Plan your life, live your plan.” And you will find that you will only be able to do this effectively when you have clearly defined your objectives, while your values provide a useful compass on the way. Next comes to actually stick to your plan and carry it out. This sounds simple but is probably one of the most difficult things to do as we are often taken off track by unimportant issues and urgencies, giving us a feeling of accomplishment (“I have been so busy.”) but turning out to be time wasters instead. In other words, prioritise and a simple way of doing this is to sit down a few minutes and list down the most important things that need to be done, prioritise them and begin working on them one by one until completed. Don’t worry if you have finished only one or two at the end of the day but instead be confident that you have been working on the most important issues. A survey carried out by Day Timers Inc. in America showed that only one third of workers plan their daily schedules and that only 9% follow through and complete what they planned. What results would a similar survey show amongst us here? The German novelist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said: ”Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least.” If you prioritize your life and plan your day but don’t follow through, your results will be the same as those of someone who didn’t prioritize at all. Now evaluate yourself and think again.

Now that you know what it is that needs to be done and now that you actually begin working on the most important issues, you may find out that you cannot do it all by yourself. This is when effective delegation comes in, which most of us find very difficult to do. We need to realize however that we cannot do everything ourselves and that while we work on our priorities, routine tasks need to continue. More often than not, we have difficulties to let go and trust others to do what we normally do ourselves. A guideline that John C. Maxwell suggests is that if someone else can do a task 80 percent as well as yourself, hand it off. And if you do a good job of motivating, encouraging and rewarding, that person will only get better and in the end may even be doing a better job than you could yourself. Such people are so valuable because they now begin to allow you to work on your priorities.

One more thing to realise is that every day we are surrounded by other people we spent much time relating to. This is no less important in this country where relationships are so valued. But are we spending time with the right people? People, who can take us to another level, who help us to move forward? Or are we spending time with people who instead take us back and distract us from what we should be doing? So, while you want to treat everyone with respect and try and have a good, positive relationship with everyone, you should not be spending time with everyone equally.

Choose your battles wisely!      

Ton Haverkort

Sources:

“Today Matters” by John C. Maxwell  

https://personalexcellence.co/blog/choose-your-battles/

Ethiopian Floriculture Industry trapped by President Trump’s Import Tariff

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Following President Donald Trump’s recent tariff decision, U.S. customs agents began collecting tariffs on all imported goods from various countries, with a baseline rate of 10% and higher levies on products from 57 major trading partners. One sector affected by the new U.S. import tariff regime is the floriculture industry. The potential impact of this measure on the global floriculture business has been significant, and its direct and indirect influence on the Ethiopian flower industry cannot be overlooked.

The U.S. floriculture industry heavily relies on imports to meet domestic demand, especially for popular blooms such as roses, summer flowers, and orchids. The daily demand for flowers is substantial, estimated at around 10 million stems. Domestic flower production in the U.S. satisfies only 20% of this need, with the remaining 80% filled by imports. Due to this supply gap, various countries are seeking to enter this lucrative market. Ethiopia, in particular, has been striving to maximize its share of the U.S. flower market for some time.

Recent statistical data from the Ethiopian Customs Commission and related reports indicate that the U.S. ranks sixth among the top ten flower market destinations for Ethiopian exports. Over the past four consecutive Ethiopian fiscal years, from 2020 to 2024, the volume of flowers exported to the U.S. market has grown at an average rate of 25%. During this period, approximately 7,977 tons of flowers were supplied to the U.S., generating a total revenue of about $45 million. This volume is significant when compared to the quantities exported to Japan, Italy, Germany, Spain, Canada, and neighboring African countries. The most important types of flowers supplied to the U.S. market include roses, summer flowers, and rooted and unrooted cuttings. There are seven farms supplying these products, all of which are foreign-owned.

Despite its potential, Ethiopia has yet to make significant advancements in fully capitalizing on the U.S. flower market for various reasons. Flower exports to the U.S. began in the early 2000s, but the country’s market share remains small, at less than 3%. The number of Ethiopian flower farms with strong market linkages to the U.S. market does not exceed 11%. However, this does not mean that the new tariff regime will have minimal impact on the Ethiopian floriculture industry.

In comparison, Latin American countries are in a more advantageous position to exploit the U.S. flower market for several reasons. For instance, Colombia and Ecuador, the world’s largest flower producers, benefit from geographic locations that enable them to export large volumes of flowers at relatively low freight costs. Their transportation systems allow for quick and cost-effective delivery, ensuring that fresh flowers reach the U.S. market promptly. Additionally, the U.S. has free trade agreements with Colombia and Ecuador, facilitating the growth of their flower industries through duty-free exports and enhanced competitiveness. Finally, decades of experience in the flower industry have resulted in well-established supply chains and logistics in these countries, ensuring a reliable flow of flowers to the U.S. market.

Due to these reasons, leading flower producers have a substantial comparative advantage over Ethiopia in accessing the large flower consumer markets in the USA. Like other countries, Ethiopian floriculture has been impacted by the Trump administration’s tariff, which imposes a 10% import rate. However, since Ethiopian flower producers have a minimal presence in the US market and do not primarily target the USA, the threat of tariffs appears to have a low impact on their exports and the US floral market. Nonetheless, the overall effect of this import tariff on Ethiopian flower exports remains uncertain due to several factors.

Ethiopian flowers primarily rely on the Netherlands market, which accounts for more than 67% of their share. The Netherlands is an important partner for Ethiopian floriculture, not only for its own domestic consumption but also for its role in re-exporting flowers to other countries. The new 20% import tariff imposed on Dutch exports will significantly affect the re-exported flowers from the Netherlands that originate from Kenya and Ethiopia. Consequently, this tariff will likely reduce the flower supply from the Netherlands to the US market, profoundly impacting Ethiopian flower growers’ ability to maintain a sustainable supply to the Netherlands as they did previously.

Additionally, we are uncertain about how other countries will respond to the US import tariff. According to the United Nations International Trade database of 2023, the market share of Latin American countries in Ethiopian exports has been growing over the past three years. For instance, in 2023, Ecuador exported 278 tons of flowers to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is the second-largest market for flowers after the Netherlands, accounting for 13% of the market share. If Ecuador and Colombia shift their exports from the US market to Saudi Arabia in response to the new tariff, this could lead to an oversupply of flowers in the Saudi market, ultimately reducing the prices that Ethiopian growers previously received. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is also a rapidly growing cut flower market for Ecuador. Before the introduction of the US tariff, Colombia was a major supplier of cut flowers to the UAE, holding a significant market share of 27% of the UAE’s total cut flower imports. If Colombia shifts its exports from the US market to the UAE, this would create additional challenges for Ethiopian growers, as the UAE is a crucial market for them.

On the other hand, major flower-producing and exporting countries are significantly affected even by the baseline tariff rate of 10%. Colombia and Ecuador exemplify this. What distinguishes Colombia and Ecuador from Ethiopia is their large market share in the US flower market. Colombia supplies about 65% of the flowers to the US, particularly roses and summer flowers, which are in high demand year-round, especially around public holidays. Similarly, Ecuadorian flowers, particularly roses, are essential to the US floral industry, with a market share of no less than 25%. Thus, the 10% tariff imposed by the Trump administration will strain business relations and raise the cost of imports. This is likely to impact US wholesalers and retailers who rely on Ecuadorian and Colombian flowers to meet consumer demands at competitive prices. Many critics argue that this tariff will significantly affect Ecuadorian and Colombian flower producers, given their substantial market shares in the US flower market.

This tariff has increased the cost of imported flower goods, which is ultimately passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices. Higher prices can lead to a decrease in demand for flowers, as consumers may opt for cheaper luxury substitutes and reduce their spending on flowers. This, in turn, could discourage Ecuadorian and Colombian flower producers from creating supply, prompting U.S. wholesalers and florists to source more flowers domestically. Consequently, domestic flower growers might develop an appetite to expand and enhance local production.

While increased demand may benefit U.S. growers, many will face challenges in scaling production quickly. Domestic flower farming is labor-intensive and heavily relies on seasonal workers, often immigrants, a sector likely affected by immigration policies. Labor shortages could limit the industry’s ability to meet increased demand, potentially leading to supply shortages or higher prices. Moreover, expanding domestic flower production would require significant investments in greenhouses, transportation, and cold storage facilities. For medium and small farms, these costs may be unaffordable, especially if labor shortages persist.

Additionally, extreme weather patterns in the U.S. can impact the availability of flower varieties, complicating efforts to meet year-round demand without imports. Domestic growers may prioritize seasonal and regionally adapted flowers that thrive in specific climates, promoting a local-first approach to floral arrangements. While this could limit variety, it may appeal to environmentally conscious consumers who value sustainability.

This complex chain of responses may reinforce itself through a backward and forward loop, lacking a tendency toward equilibrium in the short run. Each iteration of response reinforces the previous one, continuing the cycle in the direction of market diversification. This incident serves as a reminder of how interconnected the flower trade, local business, and immigration policies can create uncertainty. While American flower growers may experience short-term benefits, the long-term implications for sustainable trade and international relations are far-reaching.

Flower-producing and exporting firms expected to be affected by the new U.S. import tariff are hesitant to respond to this situation, as the issue remains sensitive and unclear for many. Yet, one thing is certain: the floral industry, once a symbol of beauty and celebration, now finds itself at the center of a complex geopolitical debate—one with consequences that extend well beyond Valentine’s Day bouquets.

The writer can be reached via ehdaplan@gmail.com

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