The pact of the textile and clothing sector (TC) drawn up by the Government will create around 50,000 additional jobs in Tunisia by 2026, said Economy and Planning Minister Samir Saied.
Speaking at the national congress of the Tunisian Textile and Clothing Federation, held on Saturday in Sousse, he pointed out that this pact is in keeping with the 2035 vision and the 2023-2025 development plan.
He explained that this vision is structured around 6 pillars, the most important of which are the development of human resources and the orientation of the TC sector towards high-tech activities with high added value.
“The government is working, as part of a common objective, with all the players in the TC sector to increase the value of the sector’s exports from pound 2.4 billion to pound 4 billion, with a growth rate of 5% to 6% between 2022 and 2024, and 13% by 2025,” Saied explained.
The goal is also to climb back into the top 5 of countries exporting to the European Union, with a share of 4% (Tunisia’s share in 2008).
The Minister pointed out that the textiles and clothing sector counts 1,425 companies employing 10 or more people, including 1,150 companies that export their entire production.
These companies provide 153,474 jobs, including 138,876 in fully exporting companies.
He further indicated that the overall value of the sector’s exports stood at TND 4,212 million during the first 5 months of 2023 and should close the current year at TND 10 billion, given that these exports rose from TND 6,294 million in 2017 to TND 9,156 million in 2022.
European Union countries are the sector’s main customers, led by France (38% of the value of exports), followed by Italy (34%) and Germany (11%).
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse