Rim Mernissi: Artisanal Sector is a Vital Pillar of the Tunisian Economy
Economic Contribution and Employment
Rim Mernissi, Director of Quality at the National Office of Artisanal Trades, stated on Thursday, September 18, 2025, that the artisanal sector is a vital pillar of the Tunisian economy. During her intervention on the "Acharaa' Ettounsi" show, Mernissi explained that the sector contributes to 4% of the country's GDP and employs approximately 300,000 artisans, representing 11% of the country's workforce. Notably, women make up 83% of the sector's workers. The sector comprises 76 different trades and over 2,500 enterprises, including 56 exporters. Artisanal trades also contribute to around 32% of the total value of exports, which reached nearly 8 million dinars in the first eight months of 2025.
Main Export Markets
The primary export markets are Europe and the United States, accounting for 70% of exports, followed by the African market, particularly Niger, which imports the traditional Tunisian chéchia.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Mernissi highlighted that Tunisian artisanal products, especially those made from olive wood and ceramics, enjoy a good reputation worldwide. The National Office of Artisanal Trades actively contributes to promoting these products and preserving their export value by participating in international fairs and events. However, she also mentioned that the sector faces significant challenges, such as a lack of raw materials (olive wood, clay) and difficulties related to promotion. Mernissi revealed that the National Office is preparing to launch the national quality label "Artisanat Tunisien" to enhance and protect traditional products through intellectual property. She added that a specific law will soon be enacted to regulate this label, ensuring that every Tunisian artisanal product intended for export bears the label.
