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Newspaper Post www.enterprise-europemalta.com • Malta Enterprise, Gwardamangia Hill, Pietà MEC 0001- Malta • T: +356 2542 0000 • E: [email protected] Issue 58 - november/december 2014 Tender notifications Under EU legislation, government bodies, local authorities and utilities companies in the 27 member states must publish tender and award notices for contracts, valued above certain thresholds, in the Official Journal of the European Union. This means an average of about 850 notices of invitations to tender and awards are published each day, with a value of more than £2.5 billion, providing many business opportunities. Would you like to have a share in this market? The Malta EEN can assist you through the inTEND service: A weekly or daily e-mail giving you all the tender opportunities that match your business products or services. We also offer a three-month free trial service - send us an email on [email protected] to subscribe. More information on pages 2 & 3 02 Tender notifications 04 Glossary of International Trade Terms Shaping an SME-friendly financing market 08 06 Business Opportunities Tender notifications Reference: 2014/S 194-342215 Bulgaria-Svoge: Field sports equipment Contract description: Supply and installation of equipment for sport infrastructures in Svoge Deadline for submissions: 10 December 2014 Reference: 2014/S 194-342848 United Kingdom-London: Software package and information systems Contract description: In the light of technological advancements and recent developments in the area of public debt management, the Commonwealth Secretariat has decided to develop a new system to better meet the needs of its membership. The New System The new system will be a web-based solution developed using Microsoft .Net technologies (e.g. c#, Silverlight, etc.) and will run on Windows platform and support both SQL Server and Oracle databases. It is expected that the system will support multiple languages (singlebyte and multiple-byte languages) mainly English, French and Spanish. The new system will provide a central repository for several categories of public and publicly guaranteed external and domestic debt covering a wide range of debt instruments from loans to securities. Scope of work: Given that the development of the new system is a major exercise, the Commonwealth Secretariat has decided to outsource the development of the system. Subsequent maintenance of the system following warranty will be handled in-house by the Commonwealth Secretariat. In summary the scope of work will involve: • Working with the Commonwealth Secretariat to develop the System Requirements Specifications documents based on the business requirements documents provided by the Secretariat. • Preparing System Design Documents (system modules and database) on which the development of the system will be based. • Developing and delivering a tested system to the Secretariat for acceptance testing. The source code must be delivered with proper documentation explaining the functions of each module/function. • Providing comprehensive documentation (technical and user manuals) of the system to the Secretariat. In addition, the system must allow for on-line, context sensitive help at both screen and field level. • Developing a data migration utility for electronically migrating client data from the existing CS-DRMS to the new system. • Training and transfer of knowledge must be provided to the staff of the Secretariat who will provide first line support and carry out updates inhouse once the system is delivered; the services of the provider may be enlisted for further development work depending on the nature and size of updates. Deadline for submissions: [this is a prior information notice] Reference: 2014/S 194-341751 Turkey-Ankara: IPA — Supply of equipment for increasing the adaptability of tradesmen and craftsmen operation (relaunch) Contract description: The objective of this contract is the supply, delivery, unloading, installation, putting into operation, inspection, testing, training and warranty of equipment for the Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK) and its affiliated training and consultancy centres in order to enhance their capacities in delivery of qualified services to their members for increasing the adaptability of tradesmen and craftsmen in the textile sector. Deadline for submissions: 15 December 2014 2 • networkINGFORenterprise Issue 58 november/december 2014 Reference: 2014/S 193-340883 United Kingdom-London: IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support Contract description: The BBC is currently undertaking a four year change programme to equip the business with a set of advanced analytical tools and capabilities. The aim of the programme is to encourage and facilitate data-driven decision making, to provide a more personalised audience experience The BBC is considering the procurement of a tool that will support the BBC to optimise their online content in terms of audience engagement, consumption and interaction (and other associated activities). This tool would be pan-BBC (i.e. across both Public Service and commercial) and capable of tracking audience activity on multiple devices and in multiple formats in real-time. The BBC would also require provision of support and maintenance. The types of roles using this tool would be: Front-page Editors; User Experience and Design staff; Features Editors and; Journalists. As an example, this tool should be able to allow the BBC user to: • View real-time audience engagement metrics, such as scroll depth, on specific stories; • View the real-time performance of stories in terms of engagement and popularity e.g. their ranking on the page and time spent on page; • Easily compare the performance of stories within a domain. I.e. the software should be able to identify index pages as a collection of individual stories; • View real-time data regarding user journeys (internally and externally); • View data about customer loyalty, traffic sources, and recirculation; • View data about device type; • View the effect on audience metrics of page layout/content changes in real-time; • Visualise this data on clear, easy-to-use dashboards such as web page overlays. The types of changes expected to be made as a result of the insight gained from this tool could include: • Headline changes; • Image re-positioning/re-sizing; • Module position on a page; • Turnaround speed of features; • Story selection; • Feature positioning on a front page; • Changes to story index. Deadline for submissions: [this is a prior information notice] Reference: 2014/S 193-341565 Denmark-Fredericia: Electric switchboards Contract description: Delivery and erection of low voltage switchgears including bus bar connection from LV transformers to main switchgear [SSV3 BIO E-07 LV switch gear]. All necessary auxiliary equipment’s as well as design and documentation of the switchgear shall be included. Deadline for submissions: 1 December 2014 Reference: 2014/S 193-340877 Finland-Helsinki: Hydrographic surveying services Contract description: The Hydrographic Survey Data Management at Finnish Transport Agency (later FTA) intend to place a procurement, later in late 2014 and early 2015, according to the EU open procedure on a hydrographic survey work, to be performed in the survey seasons 2015 to 2016. FTA will conduct the procurement in accordance to Finnish law. Multibeam Echo Sounder (MBES) System Hydrographic Survey on shipping routes and areal surveys is to be performed in later specified areas in the Finnish waters. The preliminary survey areas for years 2015-2016 are indicated on the respective web-page at www.liikennevirasto.fi/hankinnat and further respective subpage on Hydrographic survey work in Finnish waters for 2015. Estimated cost excluding VAT: 4 000 000 EUR Deadline for submissions: [this is a prior information notice] Reference: 2014/S 187-329178 Palestinian territoryRamallah: ENPI — Construction of Tayasir waste water treatment plant with associated collection, conveyance and reuse components Contract description: The European Union (EU), in partnership with the Palestinian Authority (PA) is seeking to implement the construction of a collective sanitation system with a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) and waste water reuse infrastructure for the municipalities of Tubas, Tayasir and ‘Aqqaba located in Tubas Governorate in Palestine. Works will comprise the construction of a waste water treatment plant, waste water collection network with conveyance system, and irrigation reuse infrastructure scheme. Indicative characteristics of the main facilities according to the final design: • waste water treatment plant: extended activated sludge (average dry weather flow of 4 300 m3/day and 2 840 kg BOD5/d), • waste water collection networks: 41 km DN200–400 and 13 km of house connections DN160, • waste water conveyance systems: 7 km DN200–450, • irrigation infrastructure: pumping station, 2 steel reservoirs of 1 000 m3, 4,3 km of conveyance and distribution pipes DN63–250. Deadline for submissions: 5 January 2015 networkINGFORenterprise Issue 58 november/december 2014 • 3 The Trade Glossary is presented as a guide to the understanding of various terms used in international trade. It contains terminology commonly-used in international trade, providing predictability in usage, bringing terminology in line with international practice and creating additional clarity for those engaging in trade transactions. It is not meant to offer professional advice in any area, as the usage of the terms defined may change over time. Glossary of International Trade Terms A 1. AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area): An agreement made in 1992 by ASEAN members to gradually introduce a common effective preferential tariff and lower non-tariff trade barriers for intra-group trade. 2. A.T.A carnet (admission temporaire): A standardized customs document permitting duty-free, tax free, and bond-free temporary admission of certain goods such as commercial samples, medical, scientific, or other professional equipment, and advertising materials into participating countries. 3. Abandonment: An insurance term indicating that damage suffered by a vessel is severe enough to constitute a constructive total loss. The term also refers to the refusal of a consignee to accept delivery of freight so badly damaged in transit that it is worthless. 4. Acceptance: A time draft that the drawee (the payer) has accepted and acknowledged in writing the unconditional obligation to pay it at maturity. 5. Accepting bank: A bank that is the drawee of a time draft and that becomes the acceptor of the draft. 6. Accession: The process by which a country becomes a member of an international organization or agreement. 7. Ad valorem: According to value. 8. Ad valorem tariff: A tariff calculated as a percentage of the value of goods cleared through customs, e.g., 15 percent ad valorem means 15 percent of the value. 9. Advance against documents: A loan made on the security of the documents covering the shipment. 10. Advising bank: A domestic bank that handles letters of credit for a foreign bank by notifying the exporters that the credit has been opened in their favour and informing them fully of the conditions and terms without assuming responsibility. 11. Advisory capacity: A term indicating that a shipper’s agent or representative is not empowered to make 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. definitive decisions or adjustments without approval of the group or individual represented. After date: A term used to indicate that the date of maturity of a draft is fixed by the date on which it was drawn and is not dependent upon acceptance by the drawee. After sight: A term indicating that payment on a draft is due a specified number of days after presentation of the draft to the drawee or payee. African, Caribbean, and Pacific Countries (ACP): Developing countries that receive preferential trade treatment from European Union members under the Lome Convention. Air waybill: A non-negotiable instrument of air transport, which serves as a receipt for the shipper, indicating that the carrier has accepted the goods listed and has obligated itself to carry the consignment to the airport of destination according to specified conditions. All risks coverage: The broadest type of standard marine insurance coverage; excludes damage caused by war, strikes, and riots. Alongside: The side of the vessel. Goods to be delivered alongside are to be delivered to the dock or lighter from which they can be loaded aboard the ship. American Institute in Taiwan: Unofficial, non-profit, private agency that represents U.S. commercial, cultural, and other interests in Taiwan. Andean Community: A subgroup of the Latin American Free Trade Association (now the Latin American Integration Association) that aims to harmonize members’ political, economic, and social policies. Primarily a trade pact formerly known as the Andean Group or Andean Common Market; aims to eliminate tariffs and trade barriers among members. Andean Group (Grupo Andino): Also Andean Common Market or Andean Pact (Pacto Andino). Name changed to Andean Community in 1996. 4 • networkINGFORenterprise Issue 58 november/december 2014 B 21. Antidumping duties: Special tariffs imposed to offset price advantages resulting from imports sold below fair market value. 22. Arab Cooperation Council: Organization consisting of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and Yemen; created in 1989 to promote economic cooperation and integration among members. 23. Arab League: See League of Arab States. 24. Arab Maghreb Union (Union du Maghreb Arabe): Established in February 1989 to foster integration of Maghreb economy. Members include Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, and Morocco. Also aims to join the AMU and the Gulf Cooperation Council states in a common market. 25. Arbitrage: The process of buying foreign exchange, stocks, bonds, or other commodities in one market and immediately selling them in another market for profit. 26. Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC): Informal grouping of Asia Pacific countries, including the United States; established in 1989 to provide a forum for ministerial level discussion of a broad range of economic issues related to trade and investment. The group has agreed upon a schedule to implement open and free trade among member states. 27. Asociacion Latinoamericana de Integracion: See Latin American Integration Association. 28. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): A regional organization established in 1967 to promote economic, political, and social cooperation among member countries. 29. At sight: The terms of a negotiable instrument indicating that payment is due upon presentation or demand. 30.Balance of payments: An accounting statement measuring the value of goods, services, gold, and capital exchanged between one country and all foreign countries. 31.Balance of trade: The difference in value between a country’s merchandise imports and exports in a specified period. 32.Bale cargo: Goods wrapped in burlap or similar material for waterborne transportation. 33.Banker’s acceptance: A draft drawn upon and accepted by a bank. 34.Banker’s bank: A bank established by mutual consent by independent and unaffiliated banks to provide a clearinghouse for financial transactions. 35.Banker’s draft: A draft payable upon demand and drawn by or on behalf of the bank itself. The draft is regarded as cash and cannot be returned unpaid. 36.Bank for International Settlements (BIS): A financial institution founded in 1939 to promote cooperation among central banks in international settlements. Headquarters are in Basel, Switzerland. 37.Bank guarantee: A guarantee a foreign buyer obtains from a bank that the bank will pay the seller (exporter) up to a certain amount for merchandise shipped if the buyer defaults. 38.Barratry: Negligence or fraud on the part of a ship’s officers or crew resulting in injury or loss to the ship’s owners. 39.Barter: Trade in which merchandise is exchanged directly for other merchandise without use of money. 40.Basel Convention: A convention restricting trade in hazardous waste, some non-hazardous wastes, solid wastes, and incinerator ash, adopted at a United Nations conference in 1989. 41.Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU): The union of Belgium and Luxembourg into a single customs unit with common tariff and excise tax schedules, freedom from internal tariff barriers, a joint foreign trade system, mutual acceptance of local currencies, division of customs and excise receipts on the basis of population, common exchange controls, a single balance of payments, and combined foreign trade statistics. 42.Beneficiary: The person in whose favor a letter of credit is issued or a draft is drawn. 43.Benelux Economic Union: Cooperative economic and trade effort on the part of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. 44.Berth: The place beside a pier, quay, or wharf where a vessel can be loaded or discharged. 45.Bill of exchange: See draft. 46.Bill of lading (ocean): A document signed by the vessel master or other authorized person on behalf of the carrier, furnishing written evidence for the conveyance and delivery of merchandise to a specified destination. It serves as a document of title, receipt of goods, and a contract to deliver them. 47.Bonded exchange: An exchange (currency) that cannot be freely converted into other currencies. 48.Bonded warehouse: A warehouse authorized by customs authorities for storage of goods on which payment of duties is deferred until the goods are removed. 49.Boycott: A refusal to deal commercially with a person, firm, or country. 50.Brussels Tariff Nomenclature (BTN): An international tariff classification system used until 1976 when it was renamed the Customs Cooperation Council Nomenclature (CCCN). 51.Bulk cargo: A shipment such as oil, grain, or ore that is not packaged, baled, bottled, or otherwise packed but is loaded without counting or marking. There are two types of carriers—the dry-bulk carrier and the liquid-bulk carrier, better known as a tanker. networkINGFORenterprise Issue 58 november/december 2014 • 5 BusinessOpportunities BRUK20140321002 BRAT20140909001 Austrian trading company, with a worldwide network, offers intermediary services for agricultural and environmental products The Austrian trading company offers trade intermediary services for companies that are interested in distributing their agricultural or environmental products in the Austrian market or in other foreign markets. The company’s trading section is engaged in the field of distribution of products made in Europe, Asia , North/South America, South Africa & European markets, especially distribution of food & beverage (like oil, wine, sparkling wine, soya beans, infant formula, mineral water, organic fruit and vegetable juice) and environmental products like water purification plants, air filtration products and solar energy products. Thanks to the company’s 15 years experience and its intensive worldwide network, the company is the right partner for sale and distribution of products. A British startup is looking for suppliers of gold jewellery A UK company seeks manufacturers and suppliers of gold jewellery products. The company offers to import the products to the UK as a wholesaler to be the distributor. The company is mainly interested in bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings. The company is also keen to receive advice on how to design their own brand and style of jewellery and would welcome manufacturing agreements. BRRS20140909001 BRPL20140918001 A Polish company seeks novel products and services in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency to implement in the Polish market A Polish SME active in energy audits, energy consulting and distribution of renewable energy products, such as flexible solar panels, small wind turbines for mobile application, telemetry etc., seeks new innovative products and services related to renewable energy and energy efficiency in order to introduce them on the Polish market. The company wants to establish partnership with suppliers of products in the following areas: • Photovoltaic panels for solar/wind hybrid systems • Photovoltaic panels and systems for roof and ground installation • Measuring devices and systems dedicated for renewable energy • Energy data loggers • Engines for heat to electricity recovery systems Trader of the various goods offers trade intermediate service in Serbia and Balkan region A Serbian company is willing to act as a distributor of various products. The company has all equipment and infrastructure for distribution: trucks, forklifts, trailers, and other equipment necessary for the handling and storage of goods. The company is currently trading in building materials (laminates, floor coverings, insulation, mouldings, fittings, iron sheets, cement, roof coverings, ceramics, tiles, equipment for interior and exterior, construction equipment), agricultural products (fertilizers and other agricultural products, trade in crop products such as corn, wheat, soybeans, potatoes, onions), as well as a variety of the other products, seasonal nature (salt for roads, packaging foils, foils for greenhouses, machinery parts, consumer goods). The company has a warehouse and retail space with modern offices, and is located in the town of Sremska Mitrovica, northwestern Serbia, near the highway, 80 km from Belgrade and Novi Sad. 6 • networkINGFORenterprise Issue 58 november/december 2014 POD Reference Specialists and suppliers wanted for an on-going Finnish smart village project and concept development A Finnish company with a novel concept of ecological and sensible living in a village-like environment equipped with digital technology is looking for EU based architects, module building or infrastructure developers, construction and energy specialists and landscaping designers for its on-going project in Finland. Partnership could be a subcontracting, distribution services or manufacturing agreement. The company also intends to apply for support from municipalities, states and the EU at a later stage, when the concept is expanded to other projects in EU countries as the first project evolves in Finland. The idea is to create a new way of building ecological, comfortable, safe and sensible living with reasonable costs in an intelligent village equipped with digital technology. The concept’s smart houses are meant for people who value sustainable living in a tight-knit community next to cities and towns around Europe. The ongoing project is unique by its size in Finland, since the village will contain ca 60 private houses and a village hall in 20 ha area of land offering multiple options for free-time activities next to beautiful lake close to the city centre of St. Michaels. The on-going project in Finland will be implemented in 2012-2018. Currently the project is ongoing at the stage where house design and prototype has been done. Soil survey will be carried out during 2014. The Company has an agreement with the city of St. Michaels regarding the land area of 20 ha for the concept village. Regional planning, architectural design and marketing are currently ongoing as well as partnership discussions in Finland. Now the Company is looking for Europe-wide partners and investors to join the project as well. This partnership offers an opportunity for earnings when acting as a subcontractor or a distributor. There is also an opportunity to codevelop the concept for expansion to other countries in Europe. TRUK20140912002 Solar powered ground water pumping and street lighting solutions sought for agricultural and urban projects in emerging markets A UK strategy and technical consultancy SME, engaged with a number of projects in India and other emerging markets that require solar powered ground water pumping and street lighting solutions, to enhance food production and urban safety and security in those contexts, is seeking the following technologies: • Solar powered ground water pumping that can deliver 3MW, 5MW, 7MW and 10MW outputs • Solar powered street lighting effective over whole urban communities Partners with the technology to address these requirements are sought to engage in commercial with technical assistance, joint venture, or technical cooperation forms of collaboration. Partner Search for Horizon 2020 project Call for proposal: Horizon 2020 - FoF - 10 Topic: Factories of the future - 10: manufacturing of custom made parts for personalised products Funding Scheme: Research& Innovation Action Deadline: 4 February 2015 Internal Deadline: 26. November 2014 Project Title: Flex4Plastics: Flexible form for thermoforming individually 3D-shaped flat plastic parts directly out of CAD A Bavarian University is forming a consortium in order to submit a proposal which main objective is thermoforming of 3D-shaped flat plastic parts. The innovation of the idea is that there is no die or mould necessary. This new technology proposes a flexible form directly operated out of CAD. The increasing demand for the manufacturing of customised products requires the development of new strategies for producing single parts or small lot quantities. Flat 3D formed thermoplastics are currently produced using sheet material on milled dies. Die making is expensive and is driving the costs in such customised products. An array of CAD activated adjustable pins together with an interpolation layer are used to create a freeform surface. A similar counter mould can be for pressing processes. Such thermoforming can be performed on the interpolation layer. A prototype has been built and the technology has been proofed using PMMA and polycarbonate. Target Partners: At least 5 SMEs. Profile of partner sought: • Machine building and manufacturing: construction of the hardware devices, thermoform machines, machines for the further elaboration and transformation of the plastic and materials • Software development: software devices and control of the pins from CAD data • Electronic hardware • Materials for the experimentation: plastic, elastomers • Simulation • Printing technologies - individual print of 3D construction parts Specific role and budget of partners of the project is going to be discussed with the coordinator after the first exchange of information. Munich University of Applied Science is already a partner. networkINGFORenterprise Issue 58 november/december 2014 • 7 financing market In the aftermath of the economic crisis, European banks have been forced to deleverage their risky assets, repair their balance sheets and comply with tight regulatory requirements (Basel III, CRD IV). This in turn resulted in a reduction in the volume of lending, market fragmentation and impaired money transmission to the real economy. Putting it mildly, the crisis had a negative impact also on the confidence and risk appetite of borrowers and institutional investors, further impacting negatively on the EU’s SMEs. In May 2013, ECB President Draghi, reaffirmed that the key obstacle to a growth recovery seemed to be the blocked credit channel to the small and medium-sized enterprises and although in the next programming period (2014-2020), several billions of debt finance to SMEs under COSME and Horizon 2020 were mobilised [together with the support of ESI Funds through off-the shelf instruments], it was felt that this assistance was not sizeable enough to fill the SME debt financing gap. In June 2013, the European Commission and EIB Group submitted to the European Council an initiative to complement and utilise synergies between existing SME support programmes at national and EU level. More specifically, a joint-instrument, the “SME Initiative” blending EU funds available under COSME and Horizon 2020 and ESIF resources in cooperation with EIB/ EIF, was proposed in view of generating additional lending to SMEs. The proposed SME Initiative builds on the Basic Acts of COSME and Horizon 2020 and makes use of the concept of Joint Instruments to complement the actions taken at national level in support of SMEs. This policy intervention will increase bank lending-capacity to SMEs as the Initiative is designed to: • support achievement of the EU 2020 objectives by addressing the SME financing gaps (leveraging of investments, supporting innovation) • produce multiplier effects and economies of scale (i.e. attracting other public and private financing) • achieve demonstration, signalling, and catalytic effects (e.g. dissemination of best practices, creation of new paradigms) • capitalize on capacity building – experience and expertise of the EU institutions – for ensuring transparency and standardization of envisaged operations under the Initiative. In the first quarter of this year, Malta formally committed to allocate funding to the ‘SME initiative’ as part of a concrete effort to support SMEs. Commissioner Johannes Hahn had stated that the European Commission was working to ensure an early implementation of the ‘SME initiative’. The European Investment Bank also highlighted that Malta, together with Spain and Portugal, had been the first Member States to subscribe to this initiative and encouraged other Member States to join the initiative. This is an important development where SME access-to-finance support will consist of a policy mix of both grants and financial instruments and ensuring that the needs of SMEs and growth opportunities are addressed in a suitable and sustainable manner. 8 • networkINGFORenterprise Issue 58 november/december 2014 Should you prefer not to receive information on services offered or provided by Enterprise Europe Network Malta, kindly send your request to [email protected] Shaping an SME-friendly