Investors in fish processing facilities submit request for proposal to National Tender Board |10 June 2021
The seven potential investors who have been shortlisted as potential candidates for the lease and development of fish processing facilities within the Fish Processing Zone at Ile Du Port, submitted their request for proposal to the National Tender Board (NTB) on Monday June 7.
The deadline for submission of bids was at 10am on Wednesday June 9, 2021.
The bids will be evaluated by the Evaluation Committee, chaired by the principal secretary for Fisheries from the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Roy Clarisse, with representatives from the Blue Economy department, the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA), Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) and the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA).
The Evaluation Committee has 21 days from the date the bids have been submitted to review the request for proposals based on various criteria established by the committee, such as to ensure synergy and diversification of investments for both local and the export market. Thereafter, the committee is to make an offer to the qualified bidders on land to be allocated at the Fish Processing Zone, for project development.
It was on December 16, 2020, that the cabinet of ministers, led by President Wavel Ramkalawan, approved the creation of the Fish Processing Zone at Ile Du Port to have a location close to the seafront where fish processing factories are located.
Soon after the announcement, from February 8 to 12, 2021, the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy (MFBE) in partnership with the Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) and the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA), invited through public tender, Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ). The RFPQ targeted businesses/companies/joint ventures wishing to invest in projects involving the lease and development of fish processing facilities within the Fish Processing Zone at Ile Du Port. Both local and foreign investors were invited to bid.
A total of 13 requests were received by the Evaluation Committee.
On March 10, 2021 all applicants were informed of whether they had successfully passed the RFPQ stage or not in accordance with Section 98 of the Public Procurement Act 2008 and Regulation 164.
The seven successful applicants were informed and have submitted their request for proposal to the NTB.
The Fish Processing Zone covers an area of approximately 90,000 square metres which will also accommodate the extension of the port north of the IPHS quay in support of activities related to the zone.
Once allocation and development of the Fish Processing Zone is completed, it is expected that production will start towards the end of 2023 and the targeted processed products will be from tuna and tuna-like species, fresh, frozen, cooked and pre-cooked, predominantly for export.
Press release from the Ministry of Fisheries