Republic of TunisiaMinistry of higher Education and Scientific Research

National Agency for Scientific Research

Third Expert Group Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation Roadmaps for

the SDGsAmani MAHJOUBI CHARRAD

27-29 November 2018Brussels, Belgium

Tunisia in some key indicators

Population: 11,44 Million citizens (Dec 2017)

GDP per capita: 4304 USD (2017)

Unemplyment rate: 15,4% (2017)

National Poverty rate: 15.2% (2015)

Inequality degree: 30.9% (Gini)

Life expectancy at birth: 75,5 (2017)

Primary Schooling rate: 114,2% (2017)

Foreign Direct Investment: 536 TND Million (2017)

Tunisia is part of the 2019 voluntary National review of the high-level political Forum on Sustainable development

Competitiveness Rank (DAVOS): 87th (2017) – 40th (2010)

Global Innovation Index: 66th (GII 2017) : 1st in Maghreb

Global Entrepreneurship Index: 40 th (2017) : 1st in Africa

Practical approaches:

Dialectical iterations between STI and SDGs could address the gap : STI policies as integral element of national priorities in achieving the SDGs (Investment in Regions/territories, Job creation, Investment in Education & Skills, Strengthen trade, inclusive growth, economic transformation, Societal Challenges…)

Topics related to Smart Specialisation

Synergies between Smart specialization and SDGs: Smart specialisation: a tool for the achievement of SDGs in regions (actors: Research-Business-

pub.Adm- Civil Society)SDGs support/improve the process of Smart specialization (Solid data for EDP, high-quality input for

scientific exercice, HR Education/Training, monitoring, + attention on Gender dimension…)

Participative, systematic and evidence-based approach (Multi-stakeholders / Bottom-up) : • National R&I priorities (2017-2022): Ministry of Higher Education and scientific Research (ANPR)• Regional priority areas (03 pilot regions): Ministry of Development, Investment and International

Cooperation (IRADA)• Reform of Higher education and Research System (societal dialogue) • Interdepartmental Steering committee for Smart specialisation

Smart Specialisation in Tunisia :

1-Cattle breeding / milk2- Vegetables and legumes3- Ecotourism and Crafts4- Clothing

1- The mechanical and metallurgical industries2- Health technologies3- Olive oil

4- Olive oil and agri-food

1-Arboriculture: olive sector (Value chain of olive oil)2- Fisheries and aquaculture: aquaculture sector3- Industry: Renewable Energy - Photovoltaic Panels4-Alternative Tourism - Ecotourism

Selected Indicators for selection of priority areas :

1- The integrating, structuring and multiplier effect of the growth of the sector in terms of widening of the value chain at the level of the whole region, both upstream and downstream.

2- Its weight and importance in the development of regional and national production

3- Its importance in the development of employment

4- Its importance in the development of income in disadvantaged delegations and the inclusion of SMEs in the value chain and the reduction of losses

5- The availability of associations able to take charge of the development of the area

Annexes:Smart SpecialisationProgress in Tunisia

“Smart specialisation describes a process – a process aimed attransforming the economic structures of a region through the formationand development of new transformative activities.”

Dominique FORAY, 2018

Tunisia in some key indicators

Geographical Position: North Africa

Population: 11,44 Million citizens (Dec 2017)

GDP per capita: 4304 USD (2017)

Unemplyment rate: 15,4% (March 2018)

Foreign Direct Investment: 536 TND Million (2017)

Competitiveness Rank (DAVOS): 87th (2018) – 40th (2010)

Global Innovation Index: 66th (GII 2018) : 1st in Maghreb

Global Entrepreneurship Index: 40 th (2017) : 1st in Africa

Economic development model of Tunisia 1956-2010

Independance -> End of the 60’s: Tunisia saw its growth fueled by centralizedexploitation of natural resources including oil, gas and phosphates.

Beginning of 70’s -> mid 80’s: Government launches corporate diversification andupgrading policy with focus on Textile and Tourism sectors development-> The emergence of economic poles in coastal cities at the expense of other regions of

the country

Mid 80’s -> 2010: The country liberalized trade and developed a liberal offshore regimeto attract foreign direct investment (FDI), promote technology transfer and developnew export-oriented industries like the electrical and mechanical equipmentmanufactures for European market.-> manufacturing industries and connected services become locomotives of growth but

remain concentrated in the country's coastal regions.

Since January 2011, Tunisia has undergone profound political, institutional and

economic reforms, opening a period of democratic transition

Some short-term policy measures have been taken to promote employment and public

investment in disadvantaged regions to ensure social peace

Approved in 2014, Tunisia’s new constitution aims for more equitable distribution of

prosperity and opportunities across regions

A new ‘Social and Economic Development Plan 2016-2020’ (MDIIC) had been adopted

by the elected government that devotes a volume to regional development and

decentralization (Volume II of the Plan).

Regional development policy in Tunisia since 2011

The new strategic orientations are organised around 5 axes:

Develop decentralisation and lay the foundations for local and regional governance;

Reinforce the interconnection of the regions;

Promote the development of regions and improve their attractiveness;

Ensure the development and adaptability of the regional development financing system;

Improve living conditions and open up the regions of the interior.

Development Plan 2016-2020: Strategic Orientations

Situation post 2011 social movements and political change

Highest 5: Tunis (76)Ariana (69)Ben Arous (66)Monastir (64)Sousse (62)

Lowest 5: Kasserine (16)Kairouan (25)Sidi bouzid (28)Jendouba (31)Seliana (36)

Knowledge Index and Regional disparities

Same distribution than the global index … worse disparities in knwoledge index…

Evolution of Regional Development Indicator:

Tunisian Scientific Research System:

Tunisia is the first country in Africa in terms of scientific production relative to GDP and the number of inhabitants and is ranked 52th for the total number of publications according to WOS

Indexed scientific Publications: 1990-2016

13 Public Universities40 Research Centers330 Research Laboratories300 Research Units

Tunisian Scientific Research System:

Scientific research Performance

Researchers per million inhabitants

)آسیالجنة الأمم المتحدة الاقتصادیة والاجتماعیة لغرب(

Tunisian STI System CARTOGRAPHY

Meeting with the strategic institutional actors to discuss a plan of action for adoption of ‘Smart

specialisation’ approach in Tunisia:

Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research: Secretary of State, in charge of scientific

research, ANPR, H2020 Management Unit, DG International Cooperation ...)

Ministry of Development, Investment and International Cooperation: the National Representative

of “Regional Initiative to Support Sustainable Economic Development”

(IRADA Program).

Plenary meeting with stakeholders already initiate to the concept

since the seminar of 2016: representatives of horizontal and sectoral

departments, research structures, private sector, ....

Tunisian initiatives:

Visit of a delegation of DG-NEAR and JRC :

27-29 November 2017

Ministry of Development, Investment and International Cooperation (MDIIC) ensured:

Formal expression of interest for the adoption of Smart Specialisation approach

Setting-Up of a Interdepartmental Steering committee dedicated to Smart Specialisation:

Departments in charge of: Foreign Affairs Higher Education and Scientific research Industry ICT Vocational training and employment…

Tunisian initiatives:

Official start of Smart specialization Process :Nominations of National Steering committee:

Mars-May 2018

Organisation of a Workshop between countries involving in A5 of D5+5 “Development and

implementation of open innovation strategies and smart specialisation in the member countries of the

5 + 5 dialogue”, leaded by Tunisia (MHESR-ANPR): Participation of Malta, Spain, Italy, Mauritania ,Tunisia,

Secretariat of D5+5 and connection with JRC (Videoconference).

Tunisian initiatives:

Workshop A5. D5+5: 17 September 2018

IRADA: Regional Initiative to support Sustainable Economic Development (Ministry of Development,

Investment and International Coperation_MDIIC)

Funded by the EC over 48 months (Official Kick-off: April 2018) General Objective: contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic development and improved

employability in 08 governorates

Specific objectives:1. Strengthen contribution of the private sector to sustainable economic development in targeted regions.2. Improve quality and relevance of the offer of initial and continuous training and employment

support services in order to better meet the needs of the national and international employment market.3. Sustain the structured participation of regional actors in private sector development and in governance

of vocational training.

National Steering committee: horizontal and sectoral departments (MDIIC, MHESR-ANPR, Ministries/Offices/agencies in charge of Employment, agriculture, industry) and Private sectors (patronal organisations…)

Tunisian initiatives:

IRADA Program

Tunisian initiatives:

03 Pilot regions to adopt smart specialisation for developing

sustainable economic plans: Bizerte, Sfax and Medenine.

Lack of knowledge of the concept and its implementation

process

First action: MISSION OF AWARENESS IN THE APPROACH OF

SMART SPECIALISATION

Projected activities:

3 half-days of awareness days of stakeholders PDPP

Elaboration of recommendations and coaching of Policy-

makers (MHESR, MDIIC, ANPR, APII, Patronal

organisations, Private enterprises...) for the establishment

of a national committee dedicated to Smart specialisation

and in particular the development of the ToR of the

quantitative analysis in depth of the economic, scientific

and innovation potential,

Thank your for your attention.