By Nibal Zgheib
The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is helping to boost the development of a stronger private sector in Tunisia by backing the Tunisian Investment Authority’s (TIA) digital guide for investors.
The TIA is providing this strategic platform for the public and private sectors aimed at proposing policies and reforms to promote the development of the private sector.
The interactive and digital guide for investors was launched in January 2022, as many businesses and investors had been adopting digital tools during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to better promote their work.
As the pandemic intensified, investment agencies in various countries turned to digital tools to promote their services more successfully. This new guide is a public-private collaboration that aims to introduce international best practice and provide concise information on the legal framework, financing mechanisms and incentive systems for investments in Tunisia.
In addition, the guide offers an overview of investment opportunities in the country’s main business sectors, such as green energy, pharmaceuticals, information and communication technology, textiles and tourism. A mobile version of the digital tool will also released in three languages to cater for a wider audience of investors.
The launch of the guide was announced at the EU Africa Business Forum in Brussels.
EBRD Head of Tunisia, Nodira Mansurova said: ‘’We are very happy to help the TIA improve the business environmment and provide digital tools for investors. Digitalisation is a key priority for the EBRD. With investments, policy engagement and advisory services, we want to help Tunisia become a digital champion and this project is a concrete step in that direction.”
Head of the TIA, Mohamed Ouertatani said: “The TIA is recognised as the main point of contact for local and international investors. In light of the investment opportunities available in Tunisia, the TIA’s team is ready to advise and support businesses and investors planning future activities in the country.’’
Since the start of its operations in Tunisia in 2012, the EBRD has invested more than €1.4 billion(US$1.58billion) across 57 projects in the country, in both the private and public sectors.
Enhancing the future of live sports
Over the last few years, technology has advanced at an unprecedented rate, but sports viewing has mostly been left behind. Sports fans are now no longer willing to simply sit and watch games. They are enthusiastic and enjoy having a wealth of information at their fingertips by acting as their own commentator.
While specific changes have been made, such as adding commentary, explanatory graphics, alternative camera angles, and slow-motion replays, progress has been slow and gradual. A greater level of involvement and immersion is desired and required, and now is the time to assess and focus on the future of live sports for fans.
Live sports path to the future
The vast amount of innovation that is currently happening can produce more profound and immersive viewing experiences. Broadcasters can now add more interactive elements once real-time streaming capabilities are in place.
Viewers watch live sports with others in various ways, from cheering in the stands to participating in real-time social media chats about the latest goal or penalty. Co-watching experiences for at-home fans allow viewers to rejoice in their team’s victories while commiserating over losses in a virtual environment.
These capabilities provided viewers with a new level of engagement and immersion that was before unavailable. Sports fans can now wager on who will score the next goal or select the camera angle they want to watch from their mobile or laptop.
These features benefit broadcasters since they increase the value of their service and minimize the possibility of users turning to a competitor, making it more appealing to advertisers.
The rapid expansion of sport betting
With the widespread legalization of sports betting and the integration of statistics and lines, the ability to customize what appears on the screen will likely become even more important. Opening up new revenue streams for content providers as they integrate with gambling partners to attract more viewers enables the creation of segmented services. Viewers will be more interested in watching segments of “late and close” games on which they have placed a bet.
As important as these innovations are for keeping fans engaged while watching the game, they also contribute to leagues, teams, and broadcasters’ bottom lines by attracting more eyeballs. It might turn casual observers turn into hardcore fans, engaging new partners for personalized advertising, and offering new products like purchasable segments of out-of-market games.
Redefining sports viewing experience
As the underlying technology allows for a more engaging experience, OTT platforms are uniquely positioned to boost engagement among sports fans compared to traditional television. As a result, broadcasters offered interactive options for at-home fans watching their favorite teams, such as live betting, in-game trivia, and personal camera perspectives.
Stadiums, broadcasters, sports leagues, and clubs must embrace streaming technology to improve viewers’ in-stadium and at-home experience. Fans might utilize the NFL Mobile app to interact with seven various camera perspectives in the stadium, and five different camera angles at home during the 2021 Super Bowl LV and project AR overlays of the NFL’s Next Gen Stats for players. In addition, Yahoo’s Watch Together, a free co-viewing experience in the Yahoo Sports mobile app, allowed fans to watch Super Bowl LV on their phones with friends and family.
The bar for a fantastic sports viewing experience will only rise as the personalization trend continues across all aspects of fan engagement. Teams, leagues, and broadcasters should work together to continue innovating, driving the fan experience, and gradually pushing fans from casual fans to fanatics.
