Tunisia-Textile Export: 4 billion euros by 2016

"The textile sector undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of it; we aim to increase exports from 2.8 billion euros to 4 billion in 2016," declared Afif Chelbi, Minister of Industry, Energy and SMEs, at a luncheon debate organized by the Tunisian-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday, May 28, on the theme "Textiles/Clothing in the face of the crisis."

50 million Tunisian Dinars have also been allocated by the state to support the finishing industry, not to mention the efforts deployed in professional training at all levels. The objective, the minister specifies, is to adapt training to the needs of businesses.

The API (Agency for the Promotion of Industry) has been requested to identify high-potential sectors nationally and internationally for one of the driving sectors of the country's economy.

Foued Lakhoua, president of the CTFCI, drew attention to the consequences of the economic crisis on European clients and its repercussions on our country. "According to the latest indicators of the textile and clothing sector published last March," he specified, "the value of exports in dinars fell by 22.5% compared to the same period in 2008. In volume, the decrease is 16.2%."

Regarding imports, continued Mr. Lakhoua, the value in dinars decreased by 10.4% with a slight increase in volume of 1%, so modest that it cannot even be interpreted according to the CETTEX.

The president of the CFTCI then raised the following questions: What about the launch of the three-year development program for the textile/clothing sector? What about preparations for Tunisian participation in international textile fairs?

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Posted online May 29, 2009