USAID Trade Reform and Development in Egypt (TRADE) Activity

Cairo, Egypt

Background: 

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening local agriculture, helping agribusinesses create jobs and linking farmers to markets. Since 1981, it has implemented over 315 integrated dairy, livestock and crops development programs in nearly 80 countries — creating lasting impact by linking farmers, businesses, and the public and private sector in local and global contexts. Land O’Lakes Venture37’s long-standing affiliation with Land O’Lakes, Inc. sets it apart. Land O’Lakes, Inc. is one of America’s largest farmer-owned cooperatives. It supports Land O’Lakes Venture37 project implementation with nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights and technologies. This gives Land O’Lakes Venture37 development projects a unique global view of agriculture, food and the power of well-functioning market systems. Land O’Lakes, Inc. supports these efforts as part of its enterprise purpose of Feeding Human Progress at home and around the world.

Project Summary: 

The USAID Trade Reform and Development in Egypt (TRADE) Activity is a five-year, $36.3 million contract implemented by Palladium with technical support from Land O’Lakes Venture37 and a consortium of other international and local subcontractors.  The TRADE Activity will increase Egypt’s international trade by increasing exports from SMEs, and in particular New and Expanding Export-Ready Enterprises (NEEREs). This will be achieved by addressing the constraints that impede the competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Over the life of the contract, the TRADE Activity will attain the following three Results:

1)    Enhanced Export Capacity of SMEs, in particular NEEREs;

2)    Strengthened Public and Private Trade-Support Institutions; and,

3)    Improved Trade and Investment Policy, Regulatory and Institutional Environment.

Under Result 3, the TRADE Activity is providing technical assistance to create a more inclusive policy framework to improve trade through increasing NEERE exports and reducing the time and cost of exporting and importing food products.

Purpose and Objective of the Consultancy:

As part of the TRADE Activity’s efforts to increase investment, promote an improved enabling environment for trade and increase Egyptian exports, the TRADE Activity is seeking to conduct a SWOT analysis for the food grade recycled plastic industry to inform policy makers of the economic opportunities and constraints to advancing this sub-sector. With Egypt contributing nearly half of the plastic waste into the Mediterranean Ocean[1] and Egyptian consumers demand increasing for packaged food, there is an opportunity to both contribute to Egypt’s circular economy ambitions and improve Egypt’s environmental impact leading up to and following COP27. Egypt’s current regulatory framework does not allow for the broad-based use of recycled plastic as food packaging material and consequently food packaging material in Egypt is virgin-plastic (i.e. non-recycled).

The Consultant will conduct a thorough SWOT analysis utilizing primary and secondary research to draft a comprehensive policy paper for the TRADE Activity. The policy paper will be targeted to regulators that policymakers to inform them of the economic opportunities that could exist with support to a recycled plastic sub-sector (i.e. increased jobs, investment, export earnings etc.), the environmental gains, and the current challenges that need to be addressed by policy makers. The paper will analyze if and how a more enabling regulatory environment could catalyze small and medium enterprises to enter into this sub-sector to supply both Egypt’s domestic food grade plastic requirements, but also potentially export to nearby countries.   

The paper will include the following:

1.  An analysis of Egypt’s strengths and capabilities associated with the collection and sorting of high volumes of mixed and contaminated plastic wastes for an effective recycling industry and the potential supply of quality recycled plastic as food packaging material;

2.  Current challenges whether technical, regulatory or economic in nature which may hinder Egypt’s ability to develop a fully functioning recycled plastic industry

3.  A review of the readiness of multinational companies such as Coca-Cola, Nestle or Pepsi, etc. and domestic food and plastic producers to utilize locally produced food grade recycled plastic and / or invest in new technologies for recycling plastics and Egyptian companies such as NATPACK, etc. to contribute to the industry;

4.  The positives and negatives associated with developing a recycled plastic industry from varying perspectives such as economic, environmental, the credibility of Egypt as a host for COP27, the amount of plastic wastes, the increase in exports associated with this new industry, and Egypt becoming a hub for exports of plastic bottles for multinational companies in Africa and Europe

Following the development of a final analysis paper the Consultant will work with the TRADE team to hold a roundtable discussion with the Egyptian National Food Safety Authority, Ministry of Environment and relevant export councils and chambers such as the Food Export Council, Chemicals Export Council and Chamber of Food Industries to discuss the study’s findings.  

Consultant Tasks:

Under this scope of work, the Consultant is expected to complete the following tasks:

–     A literature review of existing studies or reports on promoting a circular economy in Egypt, recycled plastic industry, etc.

–   An inception report to describe the conceptual framework for the study including methodology, data collection, sources and interviews with Egyptian and multi-national companies ready to invest in food-contact plastics recycling.

–  Identify key themes, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges, and emerging technologies and practices needed to support a recycled plastic sub-sector.

–    Support the facilitation of a high-level roundtable discussion to present findings of the analysis with senior policy-makers from the Egyptian National Food Safety Authority, Ministry of the Environment, USAID TRADE and the USDA-funded TAIB project.

–   Write a final report that presents the all findings and prepare a powerpoint that summarizes findings in both Arabic and English.

Consultant Deliverables:

Under this scope of work, the Consultant is expected to complete the following deliverables:

–       An inception report that contains the following:

o   Methodology and data collection

o   Planned sources both secondary and primary

o   Key interview questions and planned interviewees

–       A final written report that contains the following:

o   An overview of the assignment

o  A brief assessment of the waste plastics management in Egypt including current strengths and why additional action is needed

o   Challenges from both a regulatory and investment/economic perspective in developing a potential recycled plastic industry for food packaging

o A detailed stakeholder analysis including who those who will benefit from a plastic recycling policy for food packaging, those who may be challenged by its implementation, and willingness to invest.

o   A map of best practices and technical solutions identified for recycling of food-contact plastics, especially bottles

o  Concrete next steps and recommendations for government and private sector including best practices for attracting investment in recycling manufacturing for food in Egypt

–       Organization of a roundtable to share findings and analysis

All submitted deliverables shall be in English.

Desired Experience and Qualifications: The selected Consultant is expected to possess the following experience and qualifications:

–  Demonstrated experience drafting policy papers, economic reports, and/or analyses for donor funded projects, international organizations, academia, or think tanks;

–       Excellent writing skills in English;

–       Ability to conduct qualitative research, critically analyze a problem and formulate proposed solutions; and,

–       Demonstrated knowledge of waste plastics management through previous working experience.

Reporting: The Consultant will report to TRADE’s Result 3 Team Lead.

Level of Effort and Period of Performance: The selected individual will be awarded an independent consultancy contract with a level of effort ceiling of 25 days through on or about June 30, 2022. Payment will be made on the basis of a fixed daily rate for actual time spent in completion of approved deliverables under the contract.