The textile and clothing industry in Tunisia plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of the country as it accounts for more than 40% of industrial employment. A project to support the competitiveness of the value chain of the textile and clothing sector "HOW TEXHA" was recently launched in Tunis.

With funding of 3.2 million dinars granted by Switzerland, under the first phase, this project, is the result of a tripartite collaboration (Tunisia-Switzerland-International Trade Center).

The project will help to strengthen the value chain of the textile and clothing sector in Tunisia, and assist in diversifying its product range, consolidate its existing markets, as well as to develop new markets. It will also help to increase employment opportunities for women and young people, particularly in the rural areas.

Tunisian textile and clothing industry provides jobs for an estimated 200,000 workers, 75% of which are women.

The project has been designed and developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Handicrafts, in alignment with Tunisia’s national development priorities to create employment.

It seeks to help 100 Tunisian textile and clothing SMEs to improve their international competitiveness during the first phase beginning in October 2014, is scheduled for completion by March 2017. This will be followed by a second phase expected to be completed by September 2018 which will further build on the efforts toward product diversification and market penetration.