On September 30, 2026, neotex 4.0 center took part in the launch of the Programme for Supporting Industrial Companies in Their Digital Transition towards an Industry 4.0, held at the Royal ASBU in Tunis, Tunisia.
The event was held under the patronage of Mr. Salah Zouari, Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, and brought together Mr. Giuseppe Perrone, Ambassador of the European Union to Tunisia, Ms. Jacqueline Groth, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Germany, and Ms. Manel Rouis, Deputy Director General of the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (APII).
The launch marked an important step in the implementation of the national “Towards Industry 4.0 in Tunisia” initiative, bringing together the key stakeholders involved in the digital transformation of Tunisian industry. The programme provided an overview of the support available to industrial companies, as well as the tools and services designed to help them assess their digital maturity and move forward with their transformation.
A structured support pathway for industrial companies
The Programme aims to support Tunisian industrial companies better identify their needs, assess their digital maturity level and build a roadmap tailored to their specific needs and expectations. Support for companies is provided through a combination of digital maturity assessments, technical assistance and the development of tailored roadmaps.
These services are provided by the Industry 4.0 Competence Centers, each operating within its own area of expertise. For the Textile and Clothing sector, this support is provided by neotex 4.0 center.
TIMA: assessing digital maturity to guide transformation
One of the key highlights of the event was a detailed presentation and demonstration of TIMA (Tunisian Intelligent Manufacturing Assessment), the national digital tool developed to assess the digital maturity of industrial companies.
For industrial companies, TIMA provides a structured way to assess their current level of digital maturity, identify their needs and establish priorities for their transformation. Participants were able to explore the platform’s user journey, dashboards and Flash Assessment, which provides an initial assessment of a company’s digital maturity and current situation.
However, the value of TIMA extends beyond the individual company. Once assessment data is aggregated, it can be used on a more global scale, offering decision-makers key insights of digital maturity across the industrial sector, as well as emerging trends and needs at the sectoral, regional and national levels.
This overall view can help better guide support programmes, intervention priorities and the allocation of resources dedicated to accelerating the digital transformation of industry. TIMA therefore serves both as a practical decision-making tool for individual companies and as a source of structured information enabling a better understanding of the dynamics of transformation within the industrial sector.
The event also provided an opportunity to present the support framework for the Industry 4.0 Label, including its process, selection criteria, governance structure and the different stages involved.
neotex 4.0 center at the core of the support programme
Throughout the event, neotex 4.0 center showcased its services and support offer for textile and apparel companies through a dedicated stand.
The team carried out demonstrations of TIMA for the manufacturers in attendance, enabling them to gain a practical understanding of the tool and discuss its use as part of a digital transformation strategy.
The stand also facilitated direct discussions with companies and various stakeholders about the specific challenges and needs associated with digital transformation in the textile and apparel sector.
neotex 4.0 center also took part in a panel discussion on the governance of the Industry 4.0 Hub, the Industry 4.0 Label and support tools. The discussion highlighted the center’s role in implementing these initiatives and the importance of sector-specific expertise when supporting textile companies in their digital transformation.
Drawing on its in-depth knowledge of textile processes, industry-specific challenges and operational constraints, neotex 4.0 center supports textile and clothing companies in assessing their digital maturity, identifying their most pressing needs and defining a transformation roadmap aligned with their specific context.
From assessment to transformation
The launch represents another milestone towards building a structured support ecosystem for the digital transformation of Tunisian industrial companies.
For textile and apparel companies, the next steps are clear: assess their digital maturity, define their priorities, and then seek support for their transformation.
TIMA’s quick assessment is now available at www.tima-apii.tn.
This event is part of the national ‘Towards Industry 4.0’ initiative launched by the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy (MIME) with the support of the European Union in Tunisia and the special ‘Decent Work for a Just Transition’ initiative, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by GIZ Tunisia.
