Services Provided
(i) Providing experts against long-term positions for the first two project objectives, as well as experts for assigned short-term task orders.
(ii) Providing experts for the following, completed and ongoing, Task Orders to IPA, as main subcontractor.
Investment Climate Analysis
Semiotics provided technical assistance to undertake a concise and targeted diagnostic and situational analysis to identify the strengths (what is working well) and the challenges (what is not working well) within the existing investment policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks at both the Federal and Provincial levels.
Trade & Investment Promotion Strategy for Govt of the Punjab
Semiotics provided technical assistance to take review documents/plans existing at the Board for promotion of trade and investment. Ascertain how prominent economic sectors of Punjab can be promoted further for attracting FDIs. Develop a Trade and Investment Promotion Strategy for Government of Punjab.
Development of Investment Promotion Strategy for Tourism and Hospitality Sector of Gilgit Baltistan
Assignment include developing a robust and action-oriented strategy for FDI promotion in the tourism and hospitality sector of Gilgit Baltistan. changes to the overall investment regime in which the strategy could be embedded, mapping investment opportunities in hospitality and tourism, strategic roadmap for attracting investments, incentivize private investors and motivate government support for enhanced investments in greening the tourism sector of GB.
Review & Modification of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Framework for Govt of Sindh
Semiotics provided technical assistance for a thorough review of the PPP Framework. The experts also recommended modifications after a series of stakeholder consultations.
Capacity Review of Priority Sectors of Boards of Investment (BoIs) across Pakistan
Semiotics provided technical assistance for an analytical review of the existing approach, methodology and technical capacity at the federal and provincial Boards of Investment for selecting and prioritizing sectors for investment promotion. Experts also suggested guidelines for adopting appropriate sector selection and prioritization approach.
Support to Board of Investment on Regulatory Reforms in Priority Sectors
Semiotics provided a team of experts to identify unnecessary and redundant regulations in priority sectors with recommendations for elimination and simplification / modernization of cumbersome procedures, by means of analysis, dialogue with relevant public-private stakeholders and through review of best practices in comparable economies.
Upon successful completion of the assignment, Semiotics engaged a team to provide guidance to BOI and IPA in finalizing the reform cases. Gather additional information and evidence in the form of relevant SROs, office orders, rules, regulations, amendments etc., to substantiate and back up the reform cases. Assist with follow up dialogue with regulatory bodies to expedite the acceptance and implementation of the identified reforms. Provide technical inputs, legal opinion, and guidance to regulatory bodies in revising obsolete, redundant, or overly complex regulations, acts, policies, to help enable a simple, efficient business environment for the local private sector and foreign investors.
Institutional Support to the Trade Dispute Resolution Organization (TDRO)
Semiotics provided expert services for development of a road map to assist TDRO in effectively delivering its services, as mandated and envisioned in the reformed TDR Bill 2022. Activities comprised review of existing institutional arrangement and capacities at TDRO. Engagement with key stakeholders from the public and private sector, to define working arrangements between TDRO, trade representative bodies, chambers, embassies and their representatives. Consultations with federal and provincial governments to develop coordination mechanism and linkages with relevant departments for handling trade disputes and the associated final determinations to be made to resolve the matters between international importers and exporters.
Trainings on Gender Equality and Female Empowerment
Designed generic and specific training modules on “Gender Equality and Female Empowerment”, for integration in IPA’s overall trainings on trade and investment and other initiatives with aim to mainstream women in trade & investment sectors, where the focus group is business women and sensitize IPA beneficiaries and public and private officials on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) guidelines, Female Empowerment, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework and Social Disclosure Guidelines, where the focus groups could be men as well as women officials or business leaders.
Export Readiness Trainings for Women-led Businesses
Semiotics provided the services of an expert for developing training content and conducting export readiness trainings for women-led businesses, in collaboration with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). The consultant designed training modules and conducted trainings sessions in major cities.
Development of Unsolicited Proposals (USP) Policy for Sindh
Semiotics has provided technical experts to analyze current legal and administrative procedures and processes governing USPs in Sindh. The process culminated in development of a dedicated USP Policy which aims to serve to provide a framework covering standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other technical and operational aspects of handling USPs.
Development of Investment Promotion Strategy for Tourism & Hospitality Sector of Gilgit Baltistan
Semiotics provided a team of experts to develop a robust and action-oriented strategy for FDI promotion in the tourism and hospitality sector of Gilgit Baltistan (GB). The team studied and suggested changes to the overall investment regime in which the strategy could be embedded. An investment outlook was developed for the hospitality sector of GB by mapping investment opportunities.
Introducing and Promoting New Trade Dispute Resolution Regime in Pakistan under the Trade Dispute Resolution Organization (TDRO)
Semiotics has engaged experts to conduct a series of awareness sessions in prominent business/ trade hubs or existing export centers in Pakistan to target relevant stakeholders, including importers, exporters, manufacturing industries, and other essential players in the trade supply chain, with an aim to launch and introduce TDRO and the legal framework for trade dispute resolution moving forward.
Development of a Step Wise Process Map for Trade with the US
Semiotics engaged a team of experts to sketch out a process map with sequential stages, steps and actions involved in bilateral trade between the U.S. and Pakistan in the form of a document. This guide, informed by available information on various government portals, departments, support organizations is to serve as the technical basis for developing animated video(s)capturing on how to trade with the U.S.
Development of Subsidiary Legislation under the TDR Act 2022 and TDR Rules 2023
Semiotics engaged an team of legal Experts to develop subsidiary legislations, protocols, procedures, frameworks, etc., aligned with the legislative provisions of the TDR Act 2022 and Rules 2023, and in light of recommendations and proposals suggested under IPA’s devised roadmap. The team also analyzed international models, rules and standards in order to ensure the local trade dispute resolution mechanism and framework is in harmony with global requirements. Finally, the team support in the advocacy efforts for implementation and approval.
Gender Action Plan Implementation Support
Semiotics engaged a seasoned Gender Expert to provide technical guidance and support to IPA project team in implementing gender-related activities aligning with the Year 3 workplan. The Expert also delivered related trainings for capacity building of public and private sector and organized/facilitated ESG awareness session(s) for IPA’s grantees/ beneficiaries as well as for companies within the investment and trade pipeline.
Pakistan Investment Outlook & U.S.-Pakistan Bilateral Trade Enhancement Options
A team of experts, hired by Semiotics, has involved stakeholders in a thorough diagnostic and situational analysis to identify strengths and challenges, focusing on the improvement of investment policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks at both Federal and Provincial levels. The critical evaluation helped to provide insights into understanding Pakistan’s current trade performance (with respect to top three trading countries), focusing particularly on US-Pakistan bilateral trade and potential opportunities for growth.
Mainstreaming Gender Equality & Social Inclusion in Investment Promotion
Semiotics has engaged a team of gender experts to develop a strategic plan for Board of Investment to provide initial guidelines on how the Board can address gender and women’s empowerment strategically within its mandate.