Tunis — The Prime Minister Mr. Mohamed Ghannouchi pointed out that scientific research represents a strategic sector for Tunisia, one on which the economy rests, and on which the country relies on in its march towards modernity and progress.

Chairing on Saturday the Higher Scientific Research and Technology Council's meeting, Mr. Mohamed Ghannouchi reviewed the policy guidelines and objectives set in the Presidential Program's item relative to scientific research, citing notably the objective of increasing the share of scientific research and technology in the GDP from 1.25% currently to 1.5% by 2014.

He also said that Tunisia is currently is promoting a strategy aimed at improving results of scientific research in all sectors and encouraging large enterprises to earmark 1% of their turnover to scientific research and technological innovation.

The Prime Minister added that, with the new presidential platform, Tunisia will usher into a new stage of the industrial upgrading program which will be marked by integrating applied researches in the buoyant and high-added-value sectors and strengthening ties with Tunisian expatriate skills to associate them in undertaking and evaluating research works.

These orientations and targets, he noted, are meant to consolidate the foundations of the knowledge and intelligence society and make of Tunisia an advanced regional technological platform.

Mr. Ghannouchi also laid emphasis on the progress recorded by the scientific research sector, which finds expression in the multiplication of research centers, units and laboratories and is evidenced by the increase in scientific publications and the rising number of business incubators.

The Prime Minister pointed out President Ben Ali's focus in the Higher Scientific Research and Technology Council, as in other consultative councils, on account of this sector's strategic role in bolstering development work, identifying future outlines, stimulating the fixed policies and finalizing implementation of the decided orientations and objectives.

A report was presented, on the occasion, on last year's results pertaining to reform of the scientific research and technological innovation system and improvement of their output, with a view to taking up future challenges and establishing a modern and competitive economy.

This report also includes the main programs underway to implement the Presidential Program's orientations, notably the upgrading of laboratories and research units and the creation of technological centers.

He said objective appraisal of these efforts, which was conducted by Tunisian and foreign experts as part of co-operation between Tunisia and international research institutions, showed that scientific research has reached an appreciable level.

He pointed out that achievement of the development objectives set for the coming period hinges on rationalization of the scientific and technological research system.

He underlined that this target is the pivot of the presidential program for the next five-year period, as reflected in the numerous decisions and the succession of measures coming out of cabinet meetings chaired by the Head of State.

The Prime Minister said the major guidelines set for the scientific research sector, at the academic, technological and development levels, provide essentially for networking research structures to enhance their efficiency and ensuring greater flexibility as part of contract-programs to direct research works to priority sectors.

The Prime Minister also gave an overview of the strategy adopted in the area of technological innovation. This strategy, he said, rests in particular on the reinforcement and improvement of productivity and the encouragement of invention.

He also said that this strategy also aims to improve the quality of training in some scientific branches and consolidate infrastructure by setting up technological complexes allowing companies to create high technology-value products.

The Prime Minister also reiterated Tunisia's commitment to further develop the technological poles created in some regions of the country, such as those of Manouba, Ennahli, Sousse, Sfax, Gabes and Gafsa.

Mr. Ghannouchi also highlighted the importance of sector-based studies aimed to identify sectors that can help promote Tunisian products on foreign markets, such as the alternative energy sector, services related to information and communication technology and the consultancy sector.