Handicrafts in Tunisia are considered an important element in promoting national identity. For women in particular, it offers great potential for absorbing labor. Currently, about 300,000 people work in traditional handicrafts. The sector actually produces internationally competitive product quality, but often under chaotic production conditions. The low attention paid to process and service quality very often affects productivity and delivery reliability. One reason for this is the export promotion measures, which always benefit the same group of companies, while many small craft enterprises have little chance of entering the international market.
Therefore, the project, in cooperation with the responsible authority for handicrafts and tourism (ONAT), supports selected regional offices in promoting the self-organisation and associations of craftsmen and women and in providing them with targeted advice in the areas of quality of management and products, purchasing, training and market access. This makes them more competitive, which improves the overall employment and income situation in the arts and crafts sector and also makes it more attractive for young Tunisians. The KVP is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
