Tunisia's Artisanat Office Launches International Campaign to Promote and Protect Local Products
Since last month, the National Office of Artisanat (ONA) has embarked on an international campaign to promote and protect Tunisia's artisanal products. The goal is to ensure the protection and valorization of these products.
A New Era of Competition and Promotion
The campaign kicked off on April 27 in Djerba, marking the beginning of a series of awareness-raising campaigns in various districts of the Republic. The event brought together key stakeholders in the sector to discuss pressing issues affecting artisans, professionals, and decision-makers.
The Challenges Facing Tunisia's Artisanat
As the world becomes increasingly modern, Tunisia's artisanat is facing numerous challenges. How can artisans compete with international trends? What steps can be taken to promote and revalue local products? How can artisans access raw materials, financing, and marketing opportunities?
Commercialization: A Major Challenge
No artisanal event, exhibition, or fair takes place without addressing these questions. Despite its unique quality, design, and authenticity, Tunisia's artisanat struggles to break free from its local roots and compete on international markets. Commercialization remains a major challenge.
A Call to Action
Rather than relying on empty slogans, it's time to take action and find solutions to alleviate the burden on artisans. Their training and support are essential, especially considering the numerous struggling and threatened crafts. A vast awareness-raising and promotion campaign is underway, allowing artisans and professionals to express their needs and demands.
A Response to Artisans' Demands
The campaign's response to artisans' concerns and demands should not be delayed. Their request for sector restructuring and commercialization has been ongoing for several years. On May 14, the third promotional event took place in Sousse, bringing together artisans, professionals, and institutions supporting investment and export.
A New Vision and Strategy
The debate between artisans and professionals focused on major themes, including:
- Protecting intellectual property and industrial labels
- Customs procedures
- Available support mechanisms, such as the "Easy Export" program and the Export Promotion Fund (Foprodex)
- Certificates of conformity required
The goal is to open new opportunities for production, promotion, and export. Tunisia's artisanat needs a new vision and strategy for follow-up and support, with a focus on continuous training in promotion and commercialization techniques.
Upcoming Events
The ONA, in collaboration with Innorpi, the Tunisian Customs, Cepex, the Tunisian Post, the National Food Safety Authority (Insspa), and Packtec, will host promotional events in Bizerte and Tunis in June. The same themes and objectives will be addressed, marking a significant step towards realizing the ONA's 2026-2030 action plan.
