The 2nd EU-private sector dialogue under the theme of “Internationalisation and Access to International Markets for SMEs in Tunisia: Challenges and Opportunities in the post-COVID-19 Era,» was held last Wednesday, reads a press release of the European Union delegation in Tunisia.
It is part of the action «From a Business Perspective: Series of EU-Private Sector dialogues».
The delegation recalls that the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the Tunisian economy hard, causing an unprecedented economic slowdown which has seriously impacted SMEs. Yet, companies which have suffered less from the pandemic are often those which have been able to maintain international activity
Indeed, “the international presence of companies is a strategic lever offering greater autonomy, thanks to the distribution of suppliers / customers over different geographic areas.
Thus, internationalisation is an important factor in boosting production, distribution, sales and activity of companies operating internationally.”
“The dialogue shed light on accessing international markets between the EU Delegation and the stakeholders of the ecosystem of Tunisian entrepreneurship and financing.”
“The common goal of this dialogue is to contribute to the prosperity and stability of Tunisia, particularly in the context of the post-COVID19 recovery, while supporting the Tunisian government to create new opportunities for SMEs and help them conquer new markets in the EU or elsewhere “.
The dialogue laid emphasis on “bringing real support to Tunisian SMEs in their export / internationalisation approach on traditional international markets, as well as new markets and integrate global value chains “.
Similarly, a focus was also placed on «developing new mechanisms likely to support SMEs so as they enter new markets and get access to digital administrative services»
It is also crucial to work on improving infrastructures and transport and logistic services allowing SMEs to be more competitive on target international markets and strengthen public and commercial offers of financing and risk coverage solutions in line with the specific needs of exporting companies.”

Source: TAP News Agency