Tunisia: Improving the international competitiveness of the textile and clothing sector (GTEX/MENATEX)

    Overview

    Summary

    In Central Asia and Tunisia, the programme will build on lessons learned and achievements realised in previous projects. Implementation, therefore, will kick-start with a well-defined approach. For the country projects in Egypt and Morocco a six month, an inception phase is foreseen to develop the country-specific approaches and fine-tune the interventions according to country priority needs and opportunities, as well as by taking into account the regional aspects already applied in the COM-TEXHA project.


    hjdklfd  

    Recipients

    Partners

    Sustainable Development Goals

    This project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals, as defined by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    Context

    Changing lives in Tunisia’s textile and clothing sector 

    Shutterstock

    ITC’s Global Textiles and Clothing (GTEX/MENATEX) project in Tunisia aims to create jobs and increase the income of micro small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the textile and clothing industry.  

    To that end, ITC is working with the government on policies to improve the sector’s business environment and  the competitiveness of the clothing sector.  

    The project supports 50 companies in four sub-sectors of jeans, lingerie / swimwear, protective clothing, and a sub-sector of young local designers in clothing brands. Through training and mentoring programmes, beneficiary companies have the opportunity to increase their visibility in the global textile and clothing (T&C) market, participate in international fairs and improve their product portfolio according to the latest trends. 

    Textiles and clothing is the largest industry in Tunisia, contributing almost 20% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Companies export 95% of their production mainly to EU countries such as France, Italy, and Germany.  

      

    Turning COVID-19 into opportunities

    Shutterstock

    The COVID-19 pandemic hit the Tunisian textile and clothing sector hard. Commerce began reopening in 2021, showing an 11% increase in the first four months of the year. However, exports have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels.   

    To help survive these new challenges, through GTEX/MENATEX,  ITC assisted companies to reorient their production to medical textiles and face masks. We also paired larger “champion” companies with smaller enterprises to help them overcome the crisis. 

    On the trade and investment support institutions side, the project helped institutions certify MSMEs that converted to the production of sanitary masks in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to these efforts, beneficiary companies were able to secure 3,500 jobs. 

    ITC MENATEX is a crucial skills booster! The project supports the new generation of women fashion designers to develop new skills and fulfil their potential by organizing trainings and workshops focused on our needs to grow and build our skills.
    ITC MENATEX is a crucial skills booster! The project supports the new generation of women fashion designers to develop new skills and fulfil their potential by organizing trainings and workshops focused on our needs to grow and build our skills.
    Nadia Khebour
    Bag’azen
    ITC MENATEX activities supported our “masque solidaire” initiative in support of the community and those in need of protective masks, such as health workers in rural areas.
    ITC MENATEX activities supported our “masque solidaire” initiative in support of the community and those in need of protective masks, such as health workers in rural areas.
    Aida Kerkeni
    Aida brand (masque solidaire)
    ITC’s MENATEX study on the impact of COVID-19 confirms that we need to be patient, persistent and adapt to the new reality of the world and the sector.
    ITC’s MENATEX study on the impact of COVID-19 confirms that we need to be patient, persistent and adapt to the new reality of the world and the sector.
    Nafâa Ennaifer
    Fédération Tunisienne du Textile et de l’Habillement (FTTH).
    ITC MENATEX trainings on digitalization and growth supported my company’s shift towards the opening of an e-shop and gave us access to a wider pool of clients! Our growth compared to 2019 increased by 200%!
    ITC MENATEX trainings on digitalization and growth supported my company’s shift towards the opening of an e-shop and gave us access to a wider pool of clients! Our growth compared to 2019 increased by 200%!
    Fatma Ben Soltane
    CEO Fierce sportswear & activewear

    Resources

    ITC contact

    Mehdi
    Chaker
    Email
    chaker [at] intracen.org