Tunisia's Head of Government, Najla Bouden Ramadan launched a new strategy for industrialization and innovation on 6 July in Tunis to help create 840,000 industrial jobs and increase the value of exports to TDN 36 billion by 2035.
Led by the Tunisian Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, the strategy has received a USD 1 million grant from the Technical Assistance Fund for Middle Income Countries, managed by the African Development Bank. Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy Neila Nouira Gonji stated, "In partnership with the African Development Bank, the strategy was developed using a participatory approach that included a wide range of economic stakeholders. It has promoted regional and sectoral consultations that included all relevant partners and associations."
Gonji sees this strategy as defining a new model of industrial development that will strengthen the Tunisian economy and increase the sector's share in the country's GDP from 18% by 2025 to about 20% by 2035. The project will increase the value of exports to TDN 18 billion by 2025, and to TDN 36 billion by 2035. This will in turn help create 640 000 industrial jobs by 2025 and 840 000 jobs by 2035.
The 500 attendees of the launch event included several members of government and investors, the African Development Bank's director general for North Africa, Mohamed El Azizi, and Samir Majoul, president of the Tunisian Federation of Industry, Trade and Traditional Industries, who stated,
This new industrial and innovation strategy establishes a clear diagnosis of the challenges and opportunities facing Tunisia. It sets forth innovative solutions to boost the country's industry. It is a new course that defines the approach, method, and timetable to support Tunisia's industry. It will help attract top-tier industrial players, develop new job families, and strengthen Tunisia's position in global value chains. Ultimately, the objective is to create more value and jobs. The African Development Bank is proud to have been associated with this highly strategic process. The 50-year partnership between the African Development Bank and Tunisia covers several sectors: energy, water, transport, agriculture, social development and information technology and communication.
A charter preparing the ground for effective public-private partnerships in the industry and automotive parts by 2027 was signed by Neila Nouira Gonji, Samir Majoul and Nabhen Bouchaâla, president of the Tunisian Association of Manufacturers of Automotive Parts. Head of Government, Najla Bouden Ramad presided over the signing ceremony.
Fahd Belbachir, Senior External Relations and Communications Officer for North Africa, f.belbachir@afdb.org
