REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTANT SERVICES)

REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

EU/AFD Project on “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes” (IADAAM)

CONSULTING SERVICES FOR

THE AUDIT OF THE EU/AFD PROJECT ON “IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN ARARAT AND ARMAVIR MARZES” (GRANT NO. CAM 1002 06 D)

FOR THE YEARS ENDED/ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2024 (INCLUDING YEAR 2023), DECEMBER 31, 2025, JUNE 30, 2026

GRANT NO. CAM 1002 06 D

The Government of the Republic of Armenia (RA), represented by the Ministry of Economy (MoE) has received a financing from the French Development Agency (AFD) (delegated funds under the Neighbourhood Investment Facility East from the European Commission), and intends to use part of the funds thereof for payments under the European Union (EU)/Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Project on “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes” (hereinafter: IADAAM or Project).

The EU/AFD Project on “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes” (IADAAM) aims, among others, at providing institutional support to the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia in modernization of irrigated agriculture in Armenia at central, regional and local levels and at financing pilot operations in Ararat and Armavir Marzes (Districts).

The Project activities include providing institutional support to national and local stakeholders involved in the irrigated agricultural sector and notably the Ministry of Economy, the Water Committee and the Armenian Territorial Development Fund (ATDF) and improving irrigated agricultural outputs through financing pilot operations in Ararat and Armavir Marzes, putting in place and operating Agriculture Extension Services Teams (AEST) and mobilizing innovative financial tools.

The Project consists partly of “technical assistance” support for about 4.4 M€ (Component 1 and 3) and “investment funds” for about 5.6 M€ (Component 2), under supervision of two separate implementing entities:

        (i) Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure (through the Armenian Territorial Development Fund (ATDF) or its successors) for activities related to irrigated water management, i.e. Component 1.2 and part of  Component 3 (about 1.5 M€);

       (ii)Ministry of Economy (MoE), for activities related to agricultural modernization, i.e. all other components (about 8.5 M€).

The objectives of this audit are to enable the auditor to express a professional opinion on whether:

• the financial statements of the Project present fairly, in all material aspects, the expenditure actually incurred and revenue actually received for the Project for the period covered by the audit;
• the funds allocated to the Project have, in all material aspects, been used in conformity with the applicable contractual conditions; the expenditure is compliant with the rules of sound financial management, assessed notably in the light of eligibility criteria;
• contracts have been awarded in accordance with applicable rules and in accordance with the principles of economy, efficiency, transparency and fairness, and in compliance with AML/CFT due diligence requirements.
• contracts have been performed in accordance with technical requirements and specified standards.

The audit will be conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA) published by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

The Project Financial Statements should include as a minimum the information required by the IPSAS “Financial Reporting under the Cash Basis of Accounting” issued by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (the IPSASB) of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

The auditors will issue an audit opinion on the Project Financial Statements. In addition to the audit opinion, the auditor will prepare a "management letter".  

The Ministry of Economy (MoE) of the Republic of Armenia now invites eligible Audit firms to indicate their interest in providing the services.

Please inform us in writing whether you are interested in participating in this assignment.

A consultant firm will be selected under Least Cost Selection (LCS) procedures described in the RFP in accordance with the procedures set out in the AFD’s Guidelines: “Procurement Guidelines for AFD-Financed Contracts in Foreign Countries” published in October 2019.

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by May 08, 2025.

Interested Applicants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours from 10.00 to 17.00 (local time).

Attn:  Mr. Azat Tovmasyan,

IADAAM Project Procurement Specialist,

Ministry of Economy of RA

5, Mher Mkrtchyan str., Yerevan, Armenia

Telephone: +(374)-11-597-284

E-mail: azata.tovmasyan@mineconomy.am

 cc: k.harutyunyan@mineconomy.am; luananyan@mineconomy.am