Private Sector Development and Industrial Competitiveness

Challenge

To support the Government of Senegal in the realisation of its vision to create a strong, inventive and competitive private sector to improve standards of living and drive economic growth and sustainable development.

Objectives

The first phase of the Integrated Programme (1999 - 2004) has been aiming at assisting in the formulation and implementation of a sustainable competitiveness policy to promote the Government as an economic facilitator: improve productivity, technology and management practices in the food and textile sectors; strengthen relevant small- and medium-scale enterprise (SME) support institutions; attract investment through policy and institutional support; improve quality management; promote cleaner production techniques; and ensure the maximum participation of women in the industrialization process.

The first phase of Senegal's Integrated Programme has been evaluated during a special mission from UNIDO HQ in October 2003.
The outcome and conclusions of the mission and the results and lessons learned from the first phase, are the basis for the formulation of the new IP (IP second phase) due to start mid 2004, taking into full account the PRSP / MDG priorities and the national industrial policy.

Programme Components

The first phase of the IP was designed around seven individual interdependent and complementary Components, focusing on the following areas:

COMPONENT I : INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Strengthen the capacity of the Council of Industry on policy implementation and monitoring. Specific measures include training, industrial strategy study, and the creation of an information system. (Current Planning Figure: US5,000)

COMPONENT II: NATIONAL INFORMATION NETWORK

Capacity building for producers and users of industrial, commercial, technological and scientific information to update their information structure and make real time connections; National seminar on the use of information technologies for creation of a national information network; Minimum of four strengthened or upgraded nodal points to produce and exchange industrial information; Minimum of 200 trained specialists using multimedia tools and techniques ; Virtual links to libraries and search engines and identification of opportunities for tele- information and distance learning; Virtual forum and study for a wireless network system; Strengthened specialization in nodal points and identification of value added information services; Steering committee responsible for managing, monitoring and developing an information system. (Current Planning Figure: US5,000)

COMPONENT III: SME DEVELOPMENT

Entrepreneurship development and enterprise creation of micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises; Vocational and other training systems adapted to SMEs' needs; Improved business environment and SME support services; Micro-enterprises for rural areas; Increased SME productivity and collective efficiency. (Current Planning Figure: US id="ucfLayout02" onload="try { OnBodyLoad(); } catch(e) { }; afterload();",910,000)

COMPONENT IV: DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIPS

Strategy for improving investment flows and technology transfer; Strengthened national investment promotion institutions; Expanded range of investment promotion activities and strengthened networks and structures at national and international levels; Organization of an investment forum; Development of enterprise partnerships; Strengthened productive capacities of the private sector through a programme on technology management; National sub-contracting exchange; Investment strategy to attract private sector financing for infrastructure projects. (Current Planning Figure: US id="ucfLayout02" onload="try { OnBodyLoad(); } catch(e) { }; afterload();",623,000)

COMPONENT V: QUALITY, STANDARDIZATION AND METROLOGY

Reinforced and harmonized national quality, standardization and metrology systems conform to World Trade Organization obligations for consumer safety and environmental protection; National metrology network; Transformation of the National Standards Institute into a new standardization institution aimed at the promotion of quality in Senegal. (Current Planning Figure: US0,000)

COMPONENT VI: CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

Management system for an ecologically sustainable industrial development strategy and training of national personnel; Guide on environmental impact assessment; Techno-economic study on the introduction of clean technologies; Environmental audit of the national industrial sector; Database on clean technologies and on pollution in Senegal; Industrial pollution monitoring and control laboratory; Awareness campaign to promote industrial waste recycling and environmental protection. (Current Planning Figure: US0,000)

COMPONENT VII : AGRO-FOOD AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES

Strengthened institutional capacities and human resources in quality management; New and clean technologies and an inspection and food safety system conforming to international standards; Increased capabilities of micro and small-scale enterprises in the agro-food sector and artisanal fish processing; Private centre for promotion of the textile industry; Development of artisanal textile enterprises. (Current Planning Figure: US,395,000)

New Integrated Programme (IP Phase 2) Through the years, the IP in Senegal has been evolving, taking into account the lessons learned from the first phase and the conclusions from the evaluation mission. The new IP, actually being formulated, will focus on a stronger synergy between the different projects. It also aims at capitalising on Good Practices for the sustainability of its results.

The new programme also considers major constraints and changes concerning the global, regional and national environment. In particular the implementation of the MDGs of DOHA agenda for a Free Trade Agreement with the EU (2007), the objectives of NEPAD (New Partnership for African Development) promoting the role of the private sector, and regional integration (UEMOA, ECOWAS) became critical as well as the operational link with IRCPA for West Africa.

The new IP will be focussing on two main components: 1) Industrial Upgrading for Competitiveness, and 2) Development of SME' s in the Agro - Food Industry and Rural Environment.

CONTACT: Alain Nickels, E-mail: A.Nickels@unido.org