Each transition economy of the MENA region aims at supporting the enabling environment to boost private sector development through export promotion. Efforts to push the integration of South Mediterranean economies into the global economy but, mainly, with the European Union started in the 1990s and evolved throughout since 2000. It was widely understood that trade liberalization following the signing of free trade agreements would not be enough without specific policies and programs aiming at increasing private sector competitiveness in export markets. It is worth mentioning that the targeted countries (Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan) have adopted a series Export Development Policies at each time aiming at i) reducing barriers to trade at institutional and policy level, and ii) reducing barriers to trade at firm level. In particular: In the mid-90’s, these three countries (and other like Egypt) signed free trade agreements with the EU In this context, they implemented programs which focused on the upgrading of their firms in order to improve their export capabilities. In early-2000, Morocco, Jordan and Tunisia put the emphasis on the access to foreign markets dimension with the implementation of targeted programs (JUMP in Jordan, FAMEX in Tunisia, Morocco Croissance and Morocco Export Plus in Morocco). The economic downturn resulting from the Arab Spring prompted the Governments of three countries to deepen their access to market policies and further expand their integration to the global economy. In this context, new programs are being put in place to further i) remove certain constraints that affect the business environment (institutions, regulations, etc.), ii) encourage companies to become more competitive (cost, quality, innovation), and finally, iii) transform export ready SMEs into regular export SMEs. When it comes to e-commerce, governments around the world have recognized the importance of their role in removing barriers and in enabling e-commerce. This is also the case of Tunisia, Jordan and Morocco, where, within the context of modernization and deepening of policies and institutions, specific task forces have been put in place to comprehensively address barriers to e-commerce. This is part of a major effort to increase the international presence of their companies and a pillar of the overall program of trade related reforms. The proposed project will support the current policy change. In particular, it will support effort i) to promote new exporters (SMEs) through VMPs, as new promotion channel, and ii) to tackle the various issues that impede the deepening of access to foreign markets (through the support to their inter-ministerial committees). Morocco
Djibrilla Issa Private Sector Development Specialist Private Sector Development MNSFP Hassine Hedda Finance Officer Yu Wan Operations Analyst Marjorie Espiritu Program Assistant Syed I. Ahmed Lead Counsel LEGAM Non-Bank Staff Name Title Office Phone City Faouzi el Mufti Consultant Tunisia Sanchez Quintela Consultant Tunisia
Annex 1: Results Framework Indicators by Component Unit Baseline Cumulative Target Values Frequency Data Source/ Methodology Responsibility for Data Collection Description (Indicator Definition, etc) 2014 2015 2016 PDO Level Results Indicators: The proposed project development objective (PDO) is to (i) increase SMEs access and exports via Virtual Market Places, and (ii) support institutional reforms to create an enabling environment for e-commerce in targeted countries. Indicator 1: Registered SMEs with at least one export transaction completed via VMPs Number 0 120 200 300 Quarterly Statistics VMP platforms/ Feedback from surveys/M&E Database PIU Number of transactions conducted by SMEs registered of Exports increase since VMP access Indicator 2. Roadmap for the reform of the enabling business environment for e-commerce in each participating country and integrated in national commerce strategies Yes/No No No Yes Bi-annual Reporting by the Oversight Committee; Ministries of Trade PIU - ITC Roadmap document endorsed by the OC Indicator 3. SMEs registered in VMPs Number 0 300 600 Quarterly Captured by EAs and monitored through M&E Database PIU-ITC Registration involves opening of a VMP account and uploading of product and contact information.
Indicators by Component Unit Baseline Cumulative Target Values Frequency Data Source/ Methodology Responsibility for Data Collection Description (Indicator Definition, etc) 2014 2015 2016 Training program for TSIs delivered (# activities) Number 0 1 2 3 Quarterly M&E Database PIU-ITC # Training sessions Report disseminated and workshops evaluations # Number of advisory services provided #SMEs satisfaction with TSIs service delivery Component III. VMP Partnerships, Certification and Business Intelligence Indicators by Component Unit Baseline Cumulative Target Values Frequency Data Source/ Methodology Responsibility for Data Collection Description (Indicator Definition, etc) 2014 2015 2016 Collaborative partnerships with VMPs Number 0 2 4 4 Quarterly Project implementation reports PIU MoU, Letter of Intent or other agreement-related documentation. Newsletters published by TSIs to roll out the Business Intelligence Mechanism Number 0 10 25 50 Quarterly PIU and RIA PIU and EA # product (newsletter) delivery by TSI main partner
Indicators by Component Unit Baseline Cumulative Target Values Frequency Data Source/ Methodology Responsibility for Data Collection Description (Indicator Definition, etc) 2014 2015 2016 Premium Accounts awarded – Certifications Number 0 30 40 50 Quarterly Project Implementation Reports M&E Database and VMPs ITC/PIU label certificates Assessment body created and operational Yes/No No No No Yes Quarterly Project Implementation Reports WB/ITC/PIU Creation of Conformity Assessment body