About GMCS Group

GMCS a.s. is a member of GMCS Group, an international consultancy dedicated to promoting environmentally and socially sustainable development in emerging economies. Established in 1993 as Global Management Consulting Services (GMCS INC) in New York, NY, the Group has been actively engaged in supporting international development projects within the framework of International Financial Institutions (IFI) programs. Building upon its early experience, GMCS steadily expanded its operations and expertise throughout the 1990s and 2000s. This period saw the development of strong partnerships with key stakeholders in the region, allowing the Group to gain valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities facing emerging economies in Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. 

In 2014, GMCS underwent a significant restructuring, relocating its headquarters to Zurich, Switzerland, to better serve its growing operations in these target markets. This strategic move coincided with a substantial expansion of the team, welcoming highly skilled consultants, managers, and specialists with expertise in key areas such as project management, procurement, civil engineering, finance, and accounting. Importantly, this expanded team possessed a unique combination of geographic and subject matter expertise, specifically in infrastructure development within the context of international development banking. This restructuring and expansion solidified GMCS’s commitment to supporting sustainable development initiatives in these important regions.

Currently, the GMCS group operates offices and/or representatives located in Switzerland, the Czech Republic, the United States of America, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Dubai.

Our Differentiating Factors:

GMCS Group is distinguished by:

• Client Focus: An unwavering commitment to meeting and exceeding client expectations.
• Focus on local talents: A belief in the strength and potential of local expertise, maximizing local capacity building and knowledge transfer.
• Professional Excellence: A dedication to excellence and professionalism in all aspects of our work.
• Expert Team: A highly skilled and experienced team of professionals with diverse expertise.
• Environmental Stewardship: A deep commitment to promoting environmentally sustainable solutions.
• Social and Gender Considerations: A commitment to integrating social and gender considerations into all project phases, promoting inclusivity and equitable outcomes.
• Occupational Health and Safety: A strong emphasis on ensuring the health and safety of our employees, contractors, and project beneficiaries through rigorous safety protocols and risk management practices. 

Our Experience and Expertise:

GMCS Group has a proven track record of successfully implementing critical development projects financed by international financing agencies. We combine in-house expertise with a robust network of partnerships with prominent consulting firms operating in transition countries. This network provides access to a diverse pool of local experts, ensuring a deep understanding of local contexts and project-specific requirements.

Our strategic vision, grounded in decades of experience, positions us to effectively support clients in meeting the growing demand for environmental solutions while achieving their broader institutional objectives. We actively engage in donor-financed projects with Project Implementation Support assignments, implementing best-practice and innovative solutions. 

Our extensive experience encompasses all phases of international project preparation and implementation, including:

• Project Management
• Procurement
• Financial and Administrative Management
• Engineering
• Contract Administration
• Spending Control
• Reporting
• Technical Support
• Corporate Development
• Training

Our expert teams possess comprehensive technical and management expertise across diverse sectors in Former Soviet Union (FSU) countries, including Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Caucasus. We have substantial experience supporting clients in IFI Project Implementation, enabling a holistic approach that integrates institutional development with detailed design and engineering aspects.

GMCS has successfully completed numerous projects for municipal infrastructure and utility entities in these regions, supporting the modernization of transportation, water and wastewater, municipal solid waste, street lighting, and energy sectors. This extensive experience has provided our expert teams with in-depth knowledge and practical know-how.

Project Development Services

GMCS possesses extensive hands-on experience in creating and developing successful businesses within the CIS and East European markets. This deep market knowledge, combined with multi-year on-the-ground presence, enables us to provide comprehensive project development services, including:

• Developing and implementing procedures for efficient risk assessment and allocation
• Conducting project forecasting, financial modeling, and planning
• Providing advisory services on subcontracting and outsourcing strategies
• Planning procurement processes in full compliance with IFI and government regulations
• Developing comprehensive logistics plans
• Providing legal support throughout the project lifecycle

Project Finance Advisory Services

GMCS offers expert advisory services to clients requiring funding for a range of purposes, including project finance, privatization, restructuring, and start-up ventures. Our services encompass:

• Conducting thorough project appraisals and assessments to determine financial viability
• Structuring projects to optimize financial returns and mitigate risks
• Developing comprehensive business and financial plans to attract investors and secure funding
• Securing debt and equity financing from a variety of sources, including export credit agencies, grant-making organizations, commercial banks and private investors
• Identifying and optimizing the most suitable debt instruments for each project’s specific needs
• Defining optimal hedging strategies to manage financial risks
• Developing and auditing robust financial models to support investment decisions

GMCS has extensive experience in structuring complex international project finance transactions, guiding clients through all stages from initial feasibility assessments to capital structuring, financial negotiations, and successful financial closings.

Project Management Services

GMCS offers a full range of project management services, providing expert support from project initiation to completion. Our services include:

• Implementing efficient risk allocation and management strategies to mitigate potential project challenges
• Providing comprehensive operational support throughout the entire project cycle
• Developing and implementing detailed project programs, encompassing financial planning, budgeting, and procurement strategies
• Managing all financial aspects of the project, including disbursements, accounting and rigorous expenditure control
• Overseeing contractors and subcontractors to ensure quality and adherence to project requirements
• Delivering full-cycle procurement services, ensuring compliance with IFI and government procurement regulations
• Managing all logistical aspects of the project, including transportation, storage, and delivery
• Implementing robust monitoring, reporting, and delivery tracking systems to ensure project transparency and accountability
• Providing legal support and guidance throughout the project lifecycle
• Offering on-site project implementation assistance to ensure smooth execution

Our extensive network of contacts within our operational regions, coupled with a thorough understanding of the diverse needs of each project stakeholder, are essential elements of our successful project delivery.

Engineering Support

GMCS offers a wide range of technical and engineering expertise to support projects requiring specialized knowledge. We leverage a network of trusted partner companies and deploy targeted project teams managed by experienced GMCS project managers. Our services encompass:

• Providing expert technical recommendations and advisory services
• Conducting comprehensive technical surveys and audits
• Developing detailed technical documentation necessary for procuring goods and works on IFI and corporately financed projects
• Providing technical oversight, inspection and supervision throughout all project phases, up to and including commissioning

Institutional Development Services

GMCS strengthens client organizations by enhancing their capacity to achieve strategic objectives. Our approach begins with a thorough analysis of institutional needs and strategic goals, followed by targeted interventions, including personnel training. Our services include:

• Analyzing and implementing enterprise restructuring strategies
• Conducting comprehensive analyses of legal and regulatory frameworks
• Developing tailored proposals for institutional strengthening and corporate restructuring
• Facilitating the creation of various legal entities (NGOs, corporations, joint ventures, branches, etc.)
• Providing comprehensive legal support, including expertise in PPP frameworks and Public Service Contracts
• Offering strategic consulting services to define and achieve organizational goals
• Preparing detailed market studies and robust business plans
• Developing and revising organizational and management structures, including operational manuals, job descriptions, employment contracts, and reporting channels
• Developing and implementing quality management systems
• Providing tax and audit services, including support for transitions to IFRS reporting

Public Outreach and Capacity Building

GMCS recognizes the importance of effective communication and knowledge transfer in achieving sustainable project outcomes. In conjunction with our consulting services, we design and implement targeted public outreach campaigns to explain project goals and disseminate results. Our training teams collaborate closely with clients to identify training needs and develop customized capacity-building programs. Our services encompass:

• Conducting thorough analyses of client training needs
• Developing strategic plans for human capital development
• Planning, developing, promoting, and implementing comprehensive on- and off-site training programs
• Facilitating the transfer of skills and knowledge to client personnel through various learning methodologies
• Organizing and implementing local and international training seminars, conferences, and internship programs to foster professional development