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By hinna Sheikh
Rabat – Experts convened in Tunisia to discuss the importance of territorial planning for competitive and industrial policies in North Africa.
On 24 and 25 November, 2016, various experts gathered in Tunis, Tunisia, to attend a meeting to explore territorialisation policy in North Africa.
Interim Director of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Omar Abdourahman said: “territories have become critical spaces for the design and implementations of industrial and development policies. Territories are also the level at which decision maker can ensure industrial and development policies have a strong inclusive dimension.”
Whilst the North African region ha achieved advances on the human development level, there remain inequality, unemployment and poverty, which hinder its overall progress. Industrialisation can aid these countries in achieving more inclusive development. Various countries in North Africa have felt the effects of industrial and economic development, which has resulted in the diversification of economic activity but has failed to provide non
-coastal regions with industrial materials to generate greater jobs and further development.
The UNDP interim Resident Representative, El Kebir Mdharhi Aloui, proposed that a country must apply several conditions in order to achieve a successful industrial policy of territorialisation these include: good governance, an inclusive process involving stakeholders, the redistribution of powers, amongst other initiatives.
Over the two days, experts from North African ministries of industry, local authorities along with other institutions concentrated on the obstacles as well as the next steps to be taken in order for North African countries to benefit from a successful industrial policy. An ECA study, which will include the meetings conclusions, will be available to countries at a later date.
For more information please visit: http://www.uneca.org/egm-na-
