INDUSTRIAL POLICY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF THE TUNISIAN MANUFACTURING SECTOR

Abstract

This paper aims to assess the impact of industrial policy instruments on international competitiveness and in particular on the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector in Tunisia. From a non-stationary panel model composed of 13 Tunisian manufacturing sectors during the period 1995-2016, we show the existence of a long-term cointegration relationship between manufacturing exports and its determinants. The results show that spending on research and development and tertiary education has a positive effect on exports. Hence, it is necessary for the public authorities to intervene within the framework of industrial policy to promote technological innovation and higher education.