"Industrialization for sustainable and inclusive development in North Africa" is the theme of the 29th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts of North Africa (ICE), organized by the Economic Commission for Africa Office for North Africa on 4-6 March 2014 in Rabat.

This 29th session of the ICE is the first to take place under the new strategic direction of the ECA in which structural transformation of the Continent is its core focus.

The meeting will discuss various ways and means to meet the challenges of the structural transformation of North African economies. Proposals will focus on higher growth, more jobs and greater integration of production systems in global value chains, as well as the acceleration of regional integration and sustainable development.

The theme of the intergovernmental forum stems from the observation that industrialization remains a prerequisite for the structural transformation of African economies. Moreover, the efficiency of industrial policy remains dependent on a number of key factors including the inclusiveness of their formulation process, dynamism and coordination capacity of institutions responsible for its control and the adequacy of its implementation, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

For the purpose of deepening the discussion, a round table will be organized on the theme, Developing regional value chains to accelerate the diversification and sophistication of North African economies.

The meeting will also consider several reports on recent economic and social developments in North Africa; the conceptual and methodological approach to country profiles and a report on regional and international agendas, including special initiatives in North Africa.

Recommendations will be submitted to the Seventh Joint Meeting of the Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance of the African Union and the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of ECA to be held at the end of March 2014 in Abuja, Nigeria.