What does “EQuIP” mean?
EQuIP stands for “Enhancing the Quality of Industrial Policies”. This toolkit offers a comprehensive analysis of economic, socio-economic and environmental aspects of the industrial sector. By providing important inputs for an evidence-based industrial policy, EQuIP ensures that planning and formulating an industrial policy significantly enhances its quality.
Why is it called a toolkit?
The EQuIP toolkit consists of multiple EQuIP tools that cover different topics related to industrialization and industrial policy.
What is an EQuIP tool?
It is a document that addresses one of eight topics related to industrialization and industrial policy in depth. Each tool covers various aspects of the given topic, including theoretical concepts, its relevance for policymaking methods for calculating and interpreting quantitative indicators. Ultimately, the interpretation of these indicators is linked to industrial policy options.
How can I access the EQuIP toolkit?
Each tool is available for download free of charge on this website.
How can I learn how to use the EQuIP toolkit?
Each tool is a self-contained document with detailed explanations, allowing readers to learn at their own pace. Alternatively, and preferably, the tools are taught as part of a structured training course UNIDO offers training courses where experts present the material in an interactive way.
How can I participate in an EQuIP training?
EQuIP trainings are typically offered as part of a UNIDO policy project in one of UNIDO’s Member States. Alternatively, EQuIP trainings can be requested as standalone events. GIZ can also be contacted for training requests.
Can EQuIP be used in any country?
Yes, especially where data are available. While industrial policy needs to be context- and country-specific, the analysis can largely be standardized. The toolkit includes both basic and more advanced indicators, which can be considered when planning a training. If a country has not yet collected the relevant data, learning about these indicators can help guide the data collection process.
Do I need to go through the entire EQuIP toolkit?
No, EQuIP is designed in a modular manner, allowing each tool to be studied as a standalone topic. However, we strongly encourage reviewing all tools because the combination of indicators and information significantly enhances its effectiveness for policymakers.
Do the EQuIP tools come with data?
The majority of data used to calculate indicators in the different EQuIP tools is freely available to all users. Most data are derived from international databases such as the World Development Indicators of the World Bank, or UNIDO’s INDSTAT database, all of which offer free access. Each tool provides detailed descriptions of the data used and often includes practical tips on how to obtain and use the data.
What background do I need to learn EQuIP?
Having prior experience with data and an educational background in economics or related field is beneficial as most indicators are economic, socio-economic or environmental. However, the trainings can be adapted to suit any target group.
Does EQuIP come with a software package?
No, the EQuIP tools explain how to calculate indicators and where to source the necessary data. Most indicators can be calculated using MS Excel or similar software. For a few advanced indicators, having basic skills in statistical software such as R, Stata or Python can be beneficial, but is generally the exception.
What topics are covered by the EQuIP toolkit?
Each tool includes a brief description on the respective pages of our website. The toolkit generally covers aspects of production and value added, productivity, trade, diversification, global value chains, jobs, income, skills, gender, environment, as well as indicators on digitalization.
Can EQuIP be used to formulate a long-term Industrial Strategy?
The EQuIP toolkit is very useful for identifying strengths and gaps in an industry’s economic, social or environmental performance. It provides crucial insights that help specify priorities that need to be addressed in the medium- to long run. This is typically done in an industrial “vision” or industrial “strategy”, and the EQuIP toolkit is an invaluable resource in this regard.
Can EQuIP be used to formulate an industrial policy including an implementation plan with specific policy instruments?
Compared to an industrial vision or strategy, an industrial policy defines activities for the immediate future – often up to five years. The analysis derived from EQuIP tools can help narrow down priorities for an industrial policy, such as identifying priority sectors, defining measurable goals, etc. However, industrial policy also involves defining detailed policy interventions and selecting policy instruments (e.g. subsidies or regulations). Each EQuIP tool discusses various policy options and potential policy instruments. The choice of specific policy instruments is rarely directly tied to the analysis of country or sector data, which is the primary focus of the EQuIP tools. EQuIP is very useful in defining policy priory areas, priority sectors and related aspects, but does not decide which policy instruments should be chosen. The selection of policy instruments is a complex task influenced by many factors, such as the given country’s institutional setup, target beneficiaries, available budget, the country’s own experiences, lessons learned from other countries, etc. UNIDO offers separate services for discussing the design of a policy and an implementation plan, which also includes the selection of appropriate policy instruments.
Can the EQuIP toolkit be useful for the creation of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework?
Every strategy and policy should include an M&E framework to track the implementation progress and assess the effectiveness of ongoing initiatives and measures, which is important for learning from experience and adapting the relevant policy measures, if necessary. Many indicators discussed in the EQuIP tools can be useful for this monitoring exercise and help in setting up such a system.
Do I need tools other than EQuIP for industrial policymaking?
Yes. While EQuIP is useful for collecting and creating evidence, additional aspects are also important for successful policymaking. Engaging stakeholders, securing political buy-in, and having detailed knowledge about sectors, institutions and value chain participants are just a few of the essential components of effective industrial policy planning, formulation and implementation. UNIDO offers additional policy advisory and capacity development services to address these aspects of industrial policymaking.
