INTRODUCTION TO PAKISTAN AND THE BANK OF PUNJAB
Pakistan is a country in South Asia. It is the fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million. Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its geographic and socio-economic conditions. The country faces increased extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, floods and droughts, which threaten agriculture, water resources, and public health. Despite being a lower-middle-income country, Pakistan's greenhouse gas emissions are higher compared to many of its peers, aggravating its climate challenges. Melting glaciers in the Himalayas are causing severe flash floods and water shortages, while rising temperatures worsen existing environmental and health issues. According to the International Panel on Climate Change, Pakistan’s reliance on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture heightens its susceptibility to economic and social disruptions.

The Bank of Punjab (“BOP” or the “Bank”) is one of the fastest-growing banks in Pakistan, with majority shareholding by the Government of Punjab. The Bank has established its footprint in Corporate & Investment Banking, Consumer Financing, Agriculture Credit, and Alternative Delivery Channels. With a book size of over PKR 2 trillion, it is the second-largest public sector commercial bank in Pakistan. The Bank is now embarking on a planned expansion of its business and branch network and is poised to enter the league of the top five banks in Pakistan over the next five years in terms of deposit base. The Bank operates over 800 branches across Pakistan and offers 24/7 banking services through its mobile application, serving a clientele of over 2 million. BOP Taqwa Islamic Banking provides Shariah-compliant products and services through a network of 160 branches.

INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT
To address Pakistan's environmental vulnerability, BOP and Agence Française de Développement ("AFD"), the French state development finance agency, have entered into a Credit Facility Agreement ("CFA") for a Foreign Currency On-lending Climate Finance Facility (the "Credit Facility"). The Credit Facility will be on-lent by BOP to its customers undertaking climate mitigation and adaptation projects and activities in Pakistan. In addition to the Credit Facility, AFD is also providing BOP a Grant Facility ("Grant Facility") for implementation of BOP’s Technical Assistance Program ("TAP") (the “Project”).

The purpose of this Expression of Interest (“EOI”) is to solicit interest from international consulting firms with robust local support capabilities for the Project (“Consultant”).

The Services of the Consultant shall consist of including, without limitation, the following:
(i) Support and assistance in implementation of a Environmental and Social Action Plan and the Gender Action Plan;
(ii) Support in the definition and implementation of a climate finance strategy for the Bank;
(iii) Support for the identification and development of eligible and bankable climate mitigation and adaptation projects to be financed by the Credit Facility; and
(iv) Support for marketing and communication activities.

(hereafter reffered to as the “Services”)

BOP hereby invites consulting firms to show their interest in delivering the Services described above.