Thesis of Ms Paulina Julyeta Runtuwene, Competitive Intelligence Unit in SULUT (North Sulawesi) December 17th 2007 This thesis presented the development of a Competitive Intelligence Unit in SULUT (North Sulawesi). The SULUT has many possibilities of development, especially in the domain of the natural resources: cloves, coconuts, …. Fishing is also a key activity for the region. This situation prompts for the development of a Competitive Intelligence Unit to promote a faster regional development. The SWOT analysis has been used to present a global view of the SULUT situation. The study pins point the energy problem in the region and the necessity to move in part to alternative energy. The role of the Competitive intelligence Unit will be after promotinf an global educational program of CI in SULUT, to facilitate the access to the key information as well as the constitution of an expert team. The activity will be focused on the development of various clusters, the main one will be the coconut cluster, coconut being one of the wealth of the region. During the presentation, the role of clusters as a tool to promote innovation and faster development has been resented as well as the role of the new partnership between public institution, research and education and industry. The development of more added value products from the local natural resource being a key issue for SULUT. After this very clear and well done presentation, the Jury gave to Mrs Runtuwene the title of Dr in Information Science and Communication of the University Paris Est – Marne la Vallée, with the mention “très honourable” at the unanimity.