The open digital manufacturing lab (OpenLab Tunisia) and the new “chemical laboratory” of the Technical Centre for Textiles (CETTEX) were inaugurated on Tuesday by Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, Fatma Chiboub.
The open digital manufacturing laboratory is a space for experimenting with digital manufacturing technologies, bringing together different stakeholders and partners. Its mission is to promote innovation and local value creation through digital manufacturing.
The project to set up “open laboratories for digital manufacturing” at the Sectoral Technical Centres (CTS) is part of the national initiative “Towards Industry 4.0 in Tunisia,” launched by the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy and supported by the digital transformation programme of the German Agency for International Development Cooperation (GIZ).
The objectives of this project are to introduce and integrate the concept of open source technologies and open production spaces into Tunisia’s Industry 4.0 strategy, and to develop teaching modules and concepts for experiential technological learning, particularly in the field of prototyping and entrepreneurship.
It also aims to create a link between scientific research (universities and research institutes), technology suppliers and SMEs.
The Minister took the opportunity to stress that this project aims to support the Tunisian industrial sector in its transition to an innovative industry and to contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of national companies.
She went on to say that improving the competitiveness of national industry is a priority of the National Industrial Strategy for 2035.
This strategy aims to improve the investment ecosystem in Tunisia and transform Tunisia into a regional platform for digital and innovative investments.
She also stressed that this project will help to strengthen the digital skills of young academics in order to meet the challenges of digitalisation and the integration of new production methods based on technological solutions.
The Minister pointed out that the textile and clothing sector is one of the most important industrial sectors, with around 1,415 companies and 151,000 jobs.
The Minister also presided over the inauguration of CETTEX’s new chemical laboratory. This laboratory will assess the conformity of national production with international standards, thus facilitating exports.
Mohsen Missaoui, CEO of CETTEX, said that the creation of this chemical laboratory responds to one of the main expectations of manufacturers, adding that the laboratory will help to improve quality control within companies operating on the local and export markets.
