PRISTINA (Kosovo), February 18 (SeeNews) – Kosovo's government is seeking a consultant to support its efforts to strengthen its capacities to implement infrastructure projects, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on Tuesday, after republishing a procurement notice originally published on November 25, 2019.
All consultants who submitted proposals for the original procurement notice will need to resubmit their proposal in response to this republication, the EBRD said in a press release.
The government of Kosovo agreed to establish an infrastructure central delivery unit at the ministry of finance, within the division for international financial cooperation, the lender said, adding that infrastructure development is crucial for the continued integration of Kosovo within the region, for attracting foreign direct investments, and for harmonisation with EU standards.
The government of Kosovo has prioritised enhancement of cross-border transport infrastructure, through ongoing reconstruction and development of the country’s major road and railway network, and environmental infrastructure.
According to the bank, the total amounts committed in investments in infrastructure from international financial institutions (IFIs) in Kosovo in recent years exceed 437 million euro ($473.6 million) in more than ten projects.
“Implementation of IFI and EU financed projects, including those of the EBRD, face significant delays mainly related to capacity constraints at the relevant government agencies to implement these complex infrastructure projects in accordance with IFI’s policies and procedures, and agreed timeframes,” the EBRD said.
The government of Kosovo has acknowledged the difficulties faced, and requested the support of EBRD in addressing them. In response to government’s request, EBRD said it intends to engage a team of experts to provide technical assistance to support the establishment and first years of operations of theinfrastructure central delivery unit with practical guidance and building of technical and legal capacity amongst its members.
The assignment is expected to support to the government of Kosovo to unlock implementation of existing IFI financed infrastructure projects, and in general to facilitate timely implementation of IFI financed public infrastructure projects, as well as to build capacities for adequate continuous monitoring of project implementation.
The deadline for submitting bids is March 10. The assignment is expected to start in the first quarter of 2020 and has an estimated overall duration of 24 months.
($ = 0.9226 euro)