"Expression of Interest : Selection of Beneficiary Honey Enterprises (Processors, Exporters and Traders) - GMAP Nepal

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

Selection of Beneficiary Honey Enterprises (Processors, Exporters and Traders)

Global Market Access Programme (GMAP) Nepal

About the Project

The Global Market Access Programme (GMAP, Project ID 180025) aims to strengthen quality and standards compliance in selected priority countries, including Nepal, to facilitate market access for MSMEs in key sectors. In Nepal, the programme focuses on the honey sector, with the overall goal of improving livelihood opportunities for small-scale beekeepers, MSMEs and honey processors through the sale of high-quality honey and enhancing access to domestic, regional and international markets.

GMAP Nepal (Project ID 210186) is implemented through three complementary outcomes: (1) strengthening the National Quality Infrastructure and related support institutions; (2) enhancing MSMEs’ compliance with standards and technical regulations, (3) strengthening a culture of quality through awareness, knowledge dissemination and support for relevant policy development. 

To achieve these outcomes, GMAP Nepal aims to support Nepalese honey enterprises in strengthening their competitiveness and improving access to domestic, regional and international markets. In this context, the project is implementing targeted interventions to strengthen enterprises with demonstrated growth potential and readiness to improve their operations and market performance focusing on enhancing enterprise capacity, quality and standards compliance, food safety, certification readiness, and market access. The intervention will contribute to the broader GMAP outcomes by supporting enterprises to adopt improved practices, strengthen quality management systems, prepare for relevant standards and certifications, and better respond to market requirements.

GMAP Nepal therefore invites Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from eligible honey processors, exporters, traders and cooperatives operating in the project’s target districts. Up to eight (8) beneficiary enterprises will be selected to receive tailored technical assistance

Selected enterprises will receive technical assistance that may include:

• Export readiness assessment and capacity building;
• Certification readiness support (e.g., HACCP, ISO 22000, related certification, where applicable);
• Improvement of quality assurance and quality management systems;
• Traceability and food safety system development;
• Technical guidance on packaging, branding and labeling;
• Business coaching and mentoring;
• Adoption of good beekeeping, processing and handling and residue monitoring practices;
• Support in understanding international market requirements and export compliance;
• Market linkage facilitation and trade promotion support.

Support will be tailored to the needs and readiness level of each selected enterprise.

Who Can Apply?

Legally registered honey processors, exporters, traders, and cooperatives operating in one of GMAP Nepal project target districts (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Makwanpur, Sarlahi, Kaski, or Palpa).

Minimum Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must:

• Be legally registered with valid PAN/VAT and DFTQC license;
• Demonstrate at least 3 years of business operation;
• Be engaged in honey production, aggregation, processing, or trading;
• Demonstrate adequate production and operational capacity evidenced by the ability to process, aggregate, or trade at least 5 metric tons of honey annually;
• Annual turnover of at least NPR 5 million; 
• Commit (signed Commitment Letter) to participating and co-investing in project activities, adopting quality improvement measures, and allowing monitoring and verification.

Selection Criteria: Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Operational capacity;
• Export readiness;
• Quality assurance and certification readiness;
• Production capacity;
• Commitment and motivation;
• Financial readiness;
• Sustainability; and
• Strategic fit with GMAP objectives.

Women-led, youth-led, and smallholder-inclusive enterprises are particularly encouraged to apply; special considerations may be applied.

Required Documents: Applicants shall submit:

• Completed application form;
• Company/Cooperative Registration Certificate and DFTQC license
• PAN/VAT Certificate with Tax Clearance Certificate;
• Signed Commitment Letter by the highest management authority;
• Company Profile/Product Catalogue; Production and Sales Records; Export Records (if applicable); Quality-related documents (if available); Facility photographs

Application Deadline: 6th Sept 2026, 11:59 pm Nepal time

Interested applicants are requested to submit the complete application form by email to gmap-nepal@unido.org

(Application Form and Commitment Letter are available at: [Link of EOI Package]

If you have any questions or require further information, please write to gmap-nepal@unido.org, subject: “Query - Call for EoI”

Important Notes

• Submission of an application does not guarantee selection;
• GMAP Nepal reserves the right to verify all submitted information;
• Incomplete or late applications will not be considered;
• GMAP Nepal reserves the right to select fewer than eight enterprises if minimum eligibility requirements are not met.