Tunis, April 13, 2010 - The World Bank and the Ministry of Development and International Cooperation are organizing a seminar on the report “Development Policy Review: Toward Innovation-Led Growth,” to be held on Tuesday, April 13, at the Sheraton Hotel in Tunis.
This report was developed in close collaboration with the Tunisian Government. At the request of the Ministry of Development and International Cooperation, the report analysis has been synchronized with the review schedule for the Eleventh National Development Plan.
This Development Policy Review in Tunisia seeks to: (i) take stock of Tunisia’s economic challenges after the progress made with its development process; and (ii) outline economic policy options to address these challenges.
The report provides an in-depth analysis of employment-related challenges and examines, on the basis of this analysis, a cohesive set of reforms aimed at facilitating the transition to a more technology-intensive economy. The report therefore proposes striking a balance between two imperatives: growth and competitiveness, on one hand, and employment reduction, on the other.
Mr. Mats Karlsson, Country Director for the Maghreb, underscores the fact that this report provides a useful analytical framework and information for implementation of the activities set forth in the first pillar of the Country Partnership Strategy for Tunisia, which covers growth, competitiveness, and employment.
Indeed, according to Mr. Ndiamé Diop, the author of the report and World Bank Resident Representative in Tunisia: “what the report suggests is a change in the growth model to make it more in line with the changes that have occurred in the country and make greater use of trained human resources. Enhancing the value of technology and achieving technological diversification are of critical importance in order to create greater wealth and employment and to support productivity and thus competitiveness and growth. The Tunisian economy is sufficiently developed to make great strides in that direction through effective reforms.”
As stated in the analyses and recommendations of the Development Policy Review, the seminar will also focus on a recently completed study on technoparks entitled: “Competitiveness Clusters in Tunisia.” The main findings of this study will be presented by Ms. Alexandra Ortiz, a Senior Urban Economist and principal author.
