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The Global Textile and Apparel Initiative (GTEX) and the Middle East and North Africa Textile Initiative (MENATEX) (referred to as “GTEX/MENATEX”) announced the official launch of the second phase in Tunisia, which will last from 2024 to 2027.
The GTEX/MENATEX programme is implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
The program aims to support the textile and clothing industry in 5 countries, including Tunisia, to improve their export competitiveness, focusing on digital transformation and sustainable development and sustainable circularity as key drivers of competitiveness. It also aims to create jobs, especially for women, and contribute to poverty reduction and climate change mitigation. To achieve this goal, the program aims to support Tunisia’s institutional environment, in addition to supporting companies and fashion designers in the textile and clothing industry.
The launch of this new phase was officially celebrated in Tunis on Friday, 14 June 2024, with the presence of the ITC team, representatives of the project’s donors, SECO and Sida, and representatives of Tunisian institutions and other advocacy and financing agencies committed to supporting the project. Officials of industrial companies and fashion designers recently selected as beneficiaries of the project’s second phase also attended the ceremony.
In his welcome speech at the ceremony, Mr. Mehdi Shaker, Director of the International Trade Centre Tunisia Program, said: “With this event, we celebrate the success of the first phase and open a promising new chapter aimed at strengthening the export competitiveness of the Tunisian textile industry through our commitment to economic development and job creation.”
Powerful speeches and messages were also delivered by prominent representatives of the project’s two donors and partner institutions. “The success of the first phase has given us the confidence to launch the second phase, thanks to the support of SECO, SIDA and national institutions, to improve the quality and competitiveness of Tunisian textile products,” stressed the Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, Ms. Fatima Thabet Chiboub.
His Excellency Mr. Joseph Ringli, Ambassador of Switzerland to Tunisia, stressed the commitment of Swiss cooperation to support Tunisia’s economic development, especially in the textile sector, saying: “Our goal is to enhance the competitiveness of Tunisian textiles and create greater added value, with a special focus on sustainability, digital transformation and gender equality.” Ms. Matilda Linden, Assistant Head of Mission of the Embassy of Sweden in Tunisia, said: “We are committed to promoting the sustainable and circular Tunisian model in the textile sector, which is in line with European standards and legislation.”
Finally, Mr. Haitham Bouajila, President of the Tunisian Federation of Textiles and Clothing (FTTH), added: “In the second phase of the project, we will support the beneficiary micro-enterprises and fashion designers more effectively, helping them to enter the international market. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the national legal framework and strengthen cooperation between the different sectors in this field. During this gathering, the guests had the opportunity to review the results of the first phase in Tunisia and the expected results of the second phase of the GTEX/MENATEX project. After the fashion show, there was also a space for exchanges between the participating national and international organizations. The event ended with a fashion show, showcasing the latest collections of Tunisian male and female designers participating in the project.
Achievements of the first phase (2018-2023) The first phase of the project has achieved significant results for the Tunisian textile and garment industry, most notably:
• Strategic support to national policies: The first phase of the project allowed participation in the development of strategic studies, such as the study on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the sector and the recovery plan. It also supported the drafting of an agreement signed by the Tunisian Government and the Tunisian Federation of Textiles and Clothing (FTTH) on the competitiveness of the textile and clothing sector.
• Capacity building of supporting organizations and academic institutions: More than 450 participants from partner institutions and more than 40 university teachers benefited from targeted training, which led to significant strengthening of local capacities and digitalization of services provided to supporting institutions in the textile industry.
• Improving the competitiveness of SMEs and fashion designers in the industry: The first phase provides training and mentoring to SMEs and fashion designers to enter the global market.
More than 60 SMEs and Tunisian innovators participated in international trade fairs and business partner missions in France, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands. These efforts resulted in the signing of nearly 600 new contracts with foreign customers and suppliers.
• Capacity building in digitalization and sustainable development: Among the achievements, 19 SMEs adopted digital processes and 30 SMEs integrated socially and environmentally sustainable practices, demonstrating commitment to more sustainable and modern practices.
• Special support for inland areas: Focused on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in inland areas, the competitiveness of 8 enterprises has been improved, and 2 of them have started to produce finished products.
For more information on GTEX/MENATEX II, visit the GTEX/MENATEX programme pages on LinkedIn and Facebook About ITC: The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, dedicated to supporting the development of sustainable and inclusive economic global markets. Through its various initiatives and programmes, the ITC works to promote trade, enhance competitiveness and strengthen companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, in developing countries.
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