The American Chamber of Commerce in Tunisia (AmCham Tunisia) organized a Business Afterwork on September 24 at the Sheraton Hotel Tunis, bringing together representatives of the Tunisian handicrafts sector, AmCham members, and representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Tunis.
Held under the theme “Tunisian Handicrafts: From Local Heritage to International Markets,” the event provided a platform for dialogue on the value, potential, and international positioning of Tunisia’s rich handicrafts sector.
The event opened with a welcoming address by Mr. Marouane Ben Jemaa, President of AmCham Tunisia, who provided an overview of the importance of Tunisian handicrafts, their evolution over the years, and their role in preserving Tunisia’s cultural heritage while contributing to economic development and international outreach.
The floor was then given to Ms. Leila Ksouri, Director of Cooperation with the Americas at the Ministry of Commerce and Export Development, who addressed the current positioning of Tunisian handicraft products and discussed the opportunities available to better leverage Tunisia’s cultural and artisanal heritage and translate it into greater economic and commercial value.
Ms. Leila Msellati, General Manager of the National Office of Tunisian Handicrafts (ONAT), subsequently highlighted the potential of the handicrafts sector in Tunisia, emphasizing the diversity and quality of Tunisian artisanal products and the opportunities for their development and expansion into international markets.
The event also featured a presentation by a representative of Tunisian Customs, Colonel Major Arbi Laffet, who shared figures related to handicrafts exports and discussed the role of customs procedures and international trade in facilitating the transition of Tunisian handicrafts from local heritage products to goods marketed internationally.
The presentations were followed by an open discussion and exchange with participants, allowing artisans, business representatives, AmCham members, and Tunisian officials to share perspectives, raise questions, and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
The Business Afterwork highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between public institutions, artisans, businesses, and international partners to further develop the Tunisian handicrafts sector and enhance its presence in international markets.
Through this event, AmCham Tunisia reaffirmed its commitment to creating platforms for dialogue and collaboration between the private sector, public institutions, and international partners, while contributing to discussions on the development and internationalization of Tunisian products and know-how.
