MEDIBTIKAR.EU

Rapport Final du programme Medibtika

Chataigné — 2010-06-25T10:47:52Z

Ce rapport final décrit les principales activités du programme Euromed Innovation et Technologie (Medibtikar) puis présente quelques recommandations portant plus particulièrement sur la pérennisation de ces actions.

Le rapport commence par des informations générales décrivant l'idée de base du programme ainsi que son évolution. Les cinq chapitres suivants décrivent pour chacune des principales activités (les axes) la situation au début du programme, les objectifs, les actions menées, les résultats et aboutissements, ainsi que des recommandations visant à les pérenniser.

Dans le cas de l'axe 1, la dynamique de formations des incubateurs devrait permettre de reproduire les sessions au niveau local grâce à l'ensemble des formateurs nationaux du programme. Il est possible que ces reproductions s'autofinancent (voire même qu'elles initient des sociétés commerciales), mais il serait souhaitable qu'elles bénéficient à court terme d'un certain soutien public, afin d'augmenter le nombre de personnes compétentes. Ce soutien pourrait à l'occasion être associé à support financier, afin d'améliorer le niveau des formations assurées dans les universités portant sur l'innovation et l'esprit d'entreprise. La poursuite de relations solides entre le réseau européen des centres d'entreprises et d'innovation (réseau EBN) et les institutions concernées de la région MEDA devrait assurer la continuité des échanges de connaissances permettant le développement des institutions MEDA sélectionnées. Ici également un financement complémentaire est souhaitable pour que les institutions les moins avancées puissent poursuivre leur développement. Les mécanismes de financement bilatéraux de la Commission européenne pourraient être utilisés.

L'axe 2 portait sur le soutien au transfert de technologie et de connaissances. Bien que la majorité des pays de la région MEDA soient en relation avec le réseau Enterprise Europe (EEN) ou le seront bientôt, il sera nécessaire d'apporter un soutien continu pour l'organisation et l'amélioration des services aux PME et aux organisations nationales de recherche. Plusieurs actions peuvent aider les organisations impliquées dans les consortiums nationaux à accélérer leur pleine intégration au réseau.

Il serait également souhaitable de proposer une assistance technique complémentaire, et voire de développer un lien spécifique entre un consortium et un membre européen du réseau. Les pays de la région MEDA seraient en mesure d'échanger leurs bonnes pratiques via un réseau régional, et de mettre en place des relations spécifiques avec des pays d'Europe du Sud dans des domaines prioritaires comme les énergies renouvelables, la désertification ou le traitement de l'eau. L'EEN est une excellente plateforme pour de telles initiatives, dès lors que les membres de la région MEDA seront en mesure de trouver les moyens de financer le fonctionnement du réseau régional.

Le thème principal de l'axe 3 concernait l'amélioration des mécanismes de financement des nouvelles sociétés innovantes. Les activités réalisées dans ce contexte ont abouti à un nouveau réseau et à un modèle pour améliorer la disponibilité du financement en MEDA : le mécanisme régional de financement de l'innovation (RIFF - Regional Innovation Financing Facility). L'initiative RIFF, désormais appelée MedVentures, est dirigée par ANIMA et ses partenaires dans le cadre du programme Invest in Med.

Elle a fait l'objet d'une proposition de financement par le programme IEVP-CTMED (Instrument européen de voisinage et de partenariat, coopération transfrontalière en région méditerranéenne (2)).

Les activités mises en place dans le cadre de l'axe 3 ont également conduit à la création de trois réseaux de business angels. Ces réseaux sont d'emblée pérennes, car ils sont gérés par leurs membres. Cependant, le coût de cette gestion n'est pas négligeable ; aussi un financement initial pour participer à ces coûts faciliterait-il la création de davantage de réseaux.

Initialement, l'axe 4 portait sur l'évaluation des infrastructures d'innovation dans chaque pays bénéficiaire, dans le but d'identifier les principales zones d'amélioration. Parallèlement, les experts étudiaient les possibilités de développer et d'utiliser les indicateurs de l'innovation (tableau MedIS). Ceci a conduit à la création du NEBI P (Network for Evidence Based Innovation Policy – le réseau pour une politique de l'innovation fondée sur des éléments concrets). Ce réseau est arrivé à maturité, conduisant à une interaction notable entre ses membres. En Égypte, l'équipe a collaboré étroitement avec l'ID SC (Information and Decision Support Centre) pour développer des indicateurs d'innovation de ce pays. Deux études de diagnostic ont été conduites en Syrie et Jordanie, pour faciliter le développement d'une politique nationale de l'innovation. Le NEBI P et le MedIS sont opérationnels, et un financement complémentaire est nécessaire pour continuer les rencontres et la collaboration. En Turquie, des fonds nationaux seront probablement mis à disposition pour soutenir des exercices de stratégies d'innovation régionale (RIS - regional innovation strategies) dans d'autres régions du pays, en s'appuyant sur les travaux des experts Medibtikar. Enfin, quatre pays ayant participé à la partie Certification qualité du programme sont très désireux de poursuivre les travaux. Il apparaît également que d'autres pays auraient volontiers organisé des formations similaires si des fonds suffisants avaient été disponibles.

Le dernier axe s'intéressait à deux secteurs prioritaires dans la région : les textiles et la transformation alimentaire.

Le réseau textile de Medibtikar a été très productif et a rencontré un grand succès. Ses membres sont très intéressés par la poursuite des opérations. Il convient de noter que plusieurs propositions répondant au premier appel de l'IEVP-CTMED (3) concernent ce domaine. Il existe également trois autres réseaux aux attributions similaires, récemment mis en place dans la région.

Cependant, ils sont plus spécialisés et n'ont pas la couverture géographique du réseau Medibtikar. Il pourraient collaborer tout les trois, dans le cadre de l'IEVP-CTMED. Des membres du réseau textile initié par Medibtikar ont discuté de la création d'un groupe de huit à dix entreprises dans quatre pays (Égypte, Maroc, Syrie et Tunisie), afin de développer davantage les possibilités de stimuler la production de textiles techniques. Medibtikar a également parrainé un défilé de mode au Caire, en coopération avec le Fashion Design Centre (FDC) égyptien. Le portail web Medatex continuera d'être hébergé par l'Egyptian Textile Development Association. Il sera animé par une équipe du Textile Technology Centre, lequel est soutenu par l'université du Caire et par le ministère égyptien de l'industrie. Ce financement assuré conjointement par des centres de recherche, des entreprises et le gouvernement devrait renforcer l'échange d'informations, dans la région comme au niveau national. Il existe des plans pour commercialiser le site à terme, afin qu'il soit financé par les abonnements et/ou la publicité.

Dans le cas du secteur alimentaire, il importe d'explorer davantage la recommandation visant à établir une institution permanente dans la région afin de fournir des services (au moins) d'étiquetage et autres réglementations liées à l'exportation, d'information commerciale ainsi que sur l'utilisation des semences et des variétés. La première étape consisterait à faire une étude d'opportunité pour de telles institutions et les possibilités de financement.

Le rapport se termine par un chapitre présentant les relations entre Medibtikar et d'autres programmes, ainsi que des conclusions et recommandations pour les actions futures.

Medibtikar final report

Chataigné — 2010-06-25T09:44:08Z

This final report from the EuroMed Innovation and Technology Programme (Medibtikar) describes the main activities of the programme and presents some recommendations for the sustainability of some of these activities in particular.

The report begins with some background information describing the rationale behind the programme and a description of how it evolved. Thereafter, five chapters follow describing each of the main activities (Axes) in terms of: situation at the start of the programme, objectives, actions delivered, results and achievements and recommendations for sustainability.

In the case of Axis 1 the main thrust of the local training for incubators should now be self sustaining with a pool of local trainers able to replicate these sessions at the local level. Though it is possible that these replications could be self-financing (if indeed not run as a commercial enterprise), in the short term some level of public support would be desirable to ensure that the numbers of capable local staff across the region continue to grow. This could possibly be linked to funding to improve the level of innovation/entrepreneurship training in the universities. The continuing strong links between the European Business and Information Centre Network (EBN) and relevant MEDA (1) institutions should ensure continued knowledge exchange and further development of selected MEDA institutions. However, for the less developed institutions further funding is desirable to continue their development; one potential source of such funding could be local European Commission bilateral funding mechanisms.

Axis 2 concerned the facilitation of mechanisms for technology and knowledge transfer. Although the majority of the MEDA countries are connected or will very soon be connected to the Enterprise European Network (EEN), the organisation and refinement of the services to be provided to the national small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and research organisations will need continued support.

Several actions could help the organisations involved in the national consortia to accelerate their full integration into the network. Further technical assistance would be desirable, while development of a specific link between an individual consortium and a European member of the network could prove beneficial. The MEDA countries would be able to exchange good practice via a regional network and develop specific links with countries from the south of Europe on priority area subjects like eco-energy, desertification or water treatment. The EEN offers a good platform for such initiatives but the MEDA members will have to find a way to finance the operation of the regional network.

Improvement of mechanisms to fund innovative new companies was the main theme of Axis 3. Activities here produced a new network and a model to improve the availability of funding across the region: the Regional Innovation Financing Facility (RIFF) initiative. RIFF, now called MedVentures, is being piloted by ANIMA and its partners, under Invest in Med Programme, and has been proposed for funding via the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument – Cross Border Cooperation in the Mediterranean (ENPI-CBCMED) programme (2).

Three business angel networks were also established as a result of activities implemented as part of Axis 3. Business angel networks are born sustainable, since they are managed by their members. However, there are significant management costs associated with managing a business angel network. Initial funding to assist with these costs would facilitate the establishment of more networks.

Initially, Axis 4 reviewed the innovation infrastructures in each of the beneficiary countries with a view to identifying the main problem areas. At the same time, the experts explored the potential for the increased development and utilisation of innovation indicators (MedIS scoreboard). This led to the creation of the Network for Evidence Based Innovation Policy (NEBIP). NEBIP has reached a stage of maturity leading to significant interaction among its members. In Egypt, the team worked closely with the IDSC (Information and Decision Support Centre) to develop innovation indicators in Egypt. There were two diagnostic studies in Syria and Jordan designed to facilitate the development of a national innovation policy. NEBIP and MedIS are operational and there is a need for additional funding for meetings and collaboration to be continued. In Turkey, it is likely that national funds will be made available to further enable regional innovation strategies (RIS) exercises in other regions in Turkey, building on the work of the local and international Medibtikar experts.

There is a very strong interest in continuing the work on Quality Certification in the four countries which participated in this part of the programme. It is also apparent that other countries would have welcomed similar training had sufficient funds been available.

The final Axis focused on two priority sectors in the region, textiles and food processing. The Medibtikar textile network was very successful and productive and its members are keen to continue and extend its operations. It is interesting to note that several proposals made to the first ENPI-CBCMED (3) call are on the same lines. There also are three other networks with a similar remit recently set up across the region but these are all more specialised and do not have the coverage of the Medibtikar network. There could be potential for bringing all three networks together under a proposal to the ENPICBCMED umbrella. Members of the original textile network have been discussing the idea of creating a group of 8 to 10 companies out of four countries (Egypt, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia) to develop further the potential for stimulating the production of technical textiles. Medibikar also sponsored a fashion show in Cairo in cooperation with the Egyptian Fashion Design Centre (FDC). The Medatex Web portal will continue to be hosted by the Egyptian Textile Development Association and will be operated by staff provided by the Textile Technology Centre which is jointly supported by the University of Cairo and the Egyptian Ministry of Industry. This joint support funding by industry/research centres and government should increase exchange of information both nationally and across the region. There are plans to eventually try and commercialise the website so that it is supported either by subscriptions or advertising or some combination of the two.

In the case of the food sector, the recommendation to establish a permanent institution in the region to provide services in (at least) labelling and other regulations of export markets, market intelligence and seed and variety utilisation should be further explored. The first step would be to determine if this is the optimum structure for such an institution(s) and possibilities for funding.

The report concludes with a chapter outlining the relationships between Medibtikar and other programmes and provides some conclusions and recommendations for future actions.

“Medibtikar” to offer Kishk from al Sa'id to the world

Wessam Ghazi — 2010-01-08T06:29:57Z

When you are able to eat Kishk from al Sa'id (Upper Egypt), it is quite expected. When you can take some home with you and enjoy its savory taste, it is also quite normal. But to visit a European country and find cans of this Kishk on the shelves of one of the biggest supermarkets is an unexpected surprise… One could also be puzzled in the same way, when seeing Domyat cheese on the centre of a breakfast table of a French, Italian or Spanish family.

These efforts to introduce such products to the international markets come within the framework of the regional 7.3 million Euro Medibtikar programme, funded by the European Commission. This programme supports innovation and technology in the MEDA region. The communication officer of the programme, Wessam Ghazi explains that some high quality Egyptian products have been selected to acquire international standard certification to enable international commercialization. She adds: “Egyptian products selected were dairy products, cheese from Domyat, as well as fermented grains, namely the Kishk from al Sa'id, and the herbs used for food and other medical herbs”. Ghazi goes on to say “that when importing such products, very specific to one culture or country, the most important thing is to protect the certificate of origin”. She also stresses that “these products are sold on the international market at prices that encourage upgrading their quality to make them even more competitive”.

To read the full article on Eurojar.org, please visit click here

Eurojar

Wessam Ghazi — 2010-01-08T06:16:28Z

Eurojar is an abbreviation of Europa Jaratuna (Europe our neighbor). Eurojar.org is the domain name of the project website which is part of a multimedia communication project. Eurojar has been carried out following a call for proposals launched by the European Commission in the region concerned by the “European Neighborhood Policy”. This region involves the South and East Mediterranean countries among many others.

The project is carried out by a consortium of media networks; L'orient-Le Jour group (a Lebanese press company), Al-Hayat group (a pan-Arab press company) and LBC group (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation - a group of Lebanese and Arab TV channels).

The aim of the project is to “maximize the visibility of the European Neighborhood Policy” in the 8 concerned Arab countries: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestinian Territories, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria.

To learn more information about Eurojar, please visit http://www.eurojar.org/en.

Medibtikar releases the “Regional Study Food Processing Industries” in the MEDA region

Wessam Ghazi — 2009-12-21T10:28:47Z

Medibtikar Programme is glad to release the “Regional Study Food Processing Industries” in the MEDA region, this study, covering six countries plus a bit of Palestine, was carried out over the period of February 2008 to September 2009. The countries participating in interviews were Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Turkey. Syria was included without interviews. A total of 51 interviews took place with 63 individuals from a wide variety of organizations split between industry, government and trade associations.

This study reveals that the food industry in the MEDA region needs and desires new technology to help them compete in world markets. Some of these desires echo across the region as common needs. Interestingly, many of these regional needs have been addressed by a variety of international aid programs and organizations.

Medibtikar releases the “Regional Study Food Processing Industries” in the MEDA region

Wessam Ghazi — 2009-12-21T10:26:23Z

This study reveals that the food industry in the MEDA region needs and desires new technology to help them compete in world markets. Some of these desires echo across the region as common needs.

Interestingly, many of these regional needs have been addressed by a variety of international aid programs and organizations.

It was also evident that, for a majority of the participants, “innovation” means, primarily, the ability to utilise methods and technologies that already exist elsewhere. They are interested to learn about more “high technology” innovations but only insofar as they might apply to their specific interests. None of the participants have the inclination or resources to be able to initiate and develop state-of-the-art processes, packages or products. Given the relatively low technology nature of the food industry world-wide, this inclination is shared by most processors world-wide.

To download a copy of this study, please see the attachment below.

“Plan and manage a Science Park in the Mediterranean, Guidebook for Decision Makers” by the European Investment Bank (EIB), Medibtikar Programme and the World Bank

Wessam Ghazi — 2009-12-21T10:18:01Z

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the Medibtikar Programme of the European Commission and the World Bank have recently adopted a number of actions to help Mediterranean countries develop technopoles and science parks.

In the course of their experience, these three institutions discovered that little had been written about technopoles and science parks in any comprehensive way. Therefore, the need was felt to take stock of these countries' experience and of the knowledge accumulated by experts regarding the planning and management of technopoles and science parks and their creation process. The result is this guidebook.

The guidebook objectives are to define and explain the functions of science parks and technopoles and the interactions between them; to help decision makers formulate the right questions concerning development planning and the management of the science park; to propose, where possible, checklists of issues to be dealt with, based on previous experience; and to offer a number of examples to which decision makers can refer in order to address issues raised in the guidebook.

“Plan and manage a Science Park in the Mediterranean, Guidebook for Decision Makers” by the European Investment Bank (EIB), Medibtikar Programme and the World Bank

Wessam Ghazi — 2009-12-21T10:14:08Z

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the Medibtikar Programme of the EuropeanCommission and the World Bank have recently adopted a number of actions to help Mediterranean countries develop technopoles and science parks.

The guidebook has been designed to deal with the complexity of science parks and technopoles and has ambitious goals: the realization of an inventory of international experience (services, governance) with relevance to the specific social environment and context of Mediterranean industry; the identification of key financing and organizational processes (planning, starting up, developing, and running a science park) and stakeholders (policy makers, enterprises, universities, urban and territory managers, pole managers); the selection of international initiatives which can support MEDA science parks.

To download a copy of this guidebook, please see the attachment below.

Medibtikar releases the “Monitoring and Reporting of Incubator Activities" - A Guide throughout MEDA Countries

Wessam Ghazi — 2009-12-21T09:52:42Z

The Medibtikar Programme is glad to release its “Monitoring and Reporting of Incubator Activities" - A Guide throughout MEDA Countries.

This guide explains how the different steps of this process may be implemented by the incubator, with details about setting up and calculating indicators. The various parts of the document are illustrated by several examples and a number of supporting tools.

This Manual is intended to be a dynamic, evolving document, benefiting from contributions provided by its readers and users, particularly those working and acting in innovative business incubation in the MEDA Countries. These contributions may for instance take the form of local examples, intended to elaborate a particular concept or approach, to further complete the document's contents, or to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences.

Medibtikar releases the “Monitoring and Reporting of Incubator Activities" - A Guide throughout MEDA Countries

Wessam Ghazi — 2009-12-21T09:49:22Z

The Medibtikar Programme is glad to release its “Monitoring and Reporting of Incubator Activities" - A Guide throughout MEDA Countries.

Readers will also find in this Manual a number of Tools, Instruments and Exercises that are intended to guide and facilitate their work related to developing innovative ideas and/or innovative start-ups. A few Tools constitute separate documents (e.g. Excel worksheets), and are clearly identified in the appropriate parts of the Manual.

This Manual is complementary to the “Incubators' Manual”, also released by Medibtikar Programme.

To download a copy of this manual, please see the attachment below.