Published on 12 December 2024

Tunisia: Achievements

SECO's engagement in Tunisia has improved the business climate, strengthened institutions, promoted sustainable urban development and advanced key value chains.

PMELCOM has benefited from SCORE support, a SECO-funded initiative aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs while promoting responsible and sustainable working practices. — © Embassy of Switzerland in Tunisia

SECO's initiatives for more than 15 years have significantly impacted various sectors, highlighting the benefits of international cooperation. Over the years, these efforts have improved the business climate through regulatory simplifications and enhanced access to financing. Additionally, SECO has strengthened the institutional framework, promoted sustainable urban development, and advanced value chains in key industries. This overview will explore specific success stories that illustrate the tangible benefits of SECO’s work in Tunisia.

• Improvement of the business climate

  Switzerland has contributed to enhancing the business climate through several projects. For instance, 45 business licenses have been simplified or eliminated, making regulations easier to navigate. Swiss initiatives have also improved access to financing, particularly for small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and women. This includes introducing a psychometric rating model and establishing a payment company. In addition, some SMEs have enhanced their ability to connect with global supply chains thanks to improved productivity.

• Improvement of the institutional and regulatory framework

  In the monetary sector, Switzerland supported the improvement of monetary policy tools, such as a new forecasting system (FPAS) and a Business Tendency Survey. The macro-prudential framework was also strengthened with the creation of the Financial Stability Reporting (FSR) system, which identifies financial risks. Additionally, new guarantee mechanisms have been put in place to support MSME financing, and the reform of public enterprises like STEG (electricity and gas) has progressed with a new HR strategy. A new Disaster Risk Finance (DRF) project aims to strengthen resilience against climate change and natural disasters.

• Sustainable urban development

  Pioneering progress has been made in integrated urban planning, notably in Sousse, with innovative approaches that can be replicated. Switzerland also supported energy audits in 350 municipalities to prepare a national energy program. The ACTE project for energy transition is included in the government's 2023-2025 plan. Additionally, 105 infrastructure projects for basic services were selected across 71 municipalities, with 28 completed by the end of June 2023.

• Promotion of value chains

  Significant progress has been made in key sectors like agri-food and textiles. In two pilot regions (Nabeul and Kairouan), a national strategy for local products was implemented, including a catalog of local producers to boost their visibility. In the textile sector, a «corporate responsibility» standard was validated, and lab services were digitized to improve accessibility for SMEs. In organic agriculture, Switzerland supports the accreditation of a laboratory and conducted a national survey to assess the potential of organic regions.

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