Projects and results – some examples

UNIDO’s first project in this field was launched in Ecuador in 2004 where the Unidad Técnica de Estudios para la Industria (UTEPI) was subsequently formally integrated into the structure of the Ministry of Industry and Competitiveness.  It now produces a bi-annual Industrial Competitiveness Report and offers on-line access to the continuously updated data base on the Cost of Doing Business. Additionally, a group of young professionals from the Central Bank who were included in the original training courses subsequently produced extensive statistical analyses to support their national negotiating team on a bilateral trade agreement with the United States.

In Cameroon, a training course was organized in 2005 for young professionals from relevant ministries, chambers of commerce and industry and the regional central bank, Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (BEAC). In 2006, a project was launched in Paraguay where an UTEPI eas established in the Ministry of Industry and Trade and was granted official status in July 2007. Future projects are now planned for Colombia and Costa Rica.

A spin-off feature of the expanding network of technical units in Latin America is the opportunity this offers for exchanges of staff and twinning arrangements involving exchange of experience, data and methodologies.  Additionally, the extensive databases set up using the same methodology guarantee the accuracy of regional benchmarking exercises.