Tunisia Hosts New Regional Program to Develop Digital Commerce and Cross-Border E-Commerce
Tunisia is hosting a new regional program aimed at developing digital commerce and cross-border e-commerce in eight countries in the MENA region, including Egypt. This project is supported by a strategic partnership between the Tunis Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIT), the Confederation of Citizen Enterprises of Tunisia (Connect), and the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
Program Objectives and Funding
The three-year program, co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by the GIZ and ITC, aims to:
- Strengthen the skills of public and private sector actors
- Structure a favorable ecosystem for digital commerce
- Facilitate access to international markets, particularly European markets, for Tunisian businesses
Program Implementation and Benefits
The partnership provides for intensive training for CCIT and Connect teams, who will in turn become trainers to support beneficiary companies. Between 12 and 15 selected candidates will each mentor 7 to 8 companies, with a priority given to young people and women. At the end of the program, participants will receive an international certification from the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Target Sectors and Goals
The project specifically targets the services sector and Tunisian companies with high export potential. It aims to:
- Disseminate best practices
- Regulate e-commerce
- Support the internationalization of companies through reliable and internationally compliant digital channels
Opportunities and Expectations
According to officials, this partnership represents a major opportunity to structure and professionalize Tunisian digital commerce, leveraging the dynamism and responsiveness of local businesses. As summarized by Aslan Berjeb, ITC expert: "Tunisians learn quickly", a key quality for successfully transitioning to digital commerce in the region.
