The Tunisian government has launched the Easy Export Days program, aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and artisans in their export endeavors. The program's first information and awareness meeting was held on September 29, 2026, in Tunis. It was attended by key stakeholders, including the Tunisian Post, the Ministry of Trade and Export Development, the Export Promotion Center (CEPEX), the Tunisian Customs, and the National Office of Artisanal (ONA).
The program seeks to simplify export procedures and encourage the internationalization of Tunisian artisans and SMEs. Mourad Saidane, Head of the postal customs office, emphasized that the goal is to provide exporters with the best possible conditions to access foreign markets quickly, efficiently, and competitively. He noted that some companies face difficulties in understanding and applying administrative procedures, and that support and simplification of procedures can help expand the base of exporters.
Digitalization is a key component of the Easy Export Days program. Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export, Samir Abid, highlighted the importance of e-commerce and digitalization in providing businesses with broader opportunities for presence in global markets. The issue of online payments was also discussed, with Yosri Bachouch, responsible for the Easy Exports program and e-commerce director at the Tunisian Post, noting that international transactions do not rely on cash on delivery, unlike local market transactions.
To facilitate online transactions, the Tunisian Post has announced the launch of an electronic payment platform, PGES, allowing customers to pay online from abroad. The program also relies on a one-stop shop concept, bringing together different stakeholders in the export process, including the Tunisian Post, Tunisian Customs, the National Office of Artisanal, and the Center for Studies and Research in Telecommunications.
Several one-stop shops for export are already present in most regions, including Tunis, Nabeul, Sousse, Monastir, Gabès, Djerba, Tozeur, and Kairouan. The Easy Export Days program aims to generalize this concept to other regions, saving exporters time and facilitating the export operation and transportation process.
The program also addresses the issue of export costs, which can be a significant barrier for SMEs and artisans looking to expand their activities internationally. The Export Promotion Fund (FOPRODEX) plans to cover up to 50% of parcel transportation costs for exports under the program. This reduction in logistics costs could facilitate access to foreign markets for small Tunisian structures and encourage more of them to engage in exporting.
The program is accompanied by a dedicated portal that provides businesses with a guide outlining the steps to take and the conditions for accessing the program. The launch of Easy Export Days is expected to boost Tunisian exports and support the growth of SMEs and artisans in the country.
Key points
- The program offers 50% reimbursement of export costs for SMEs and artisans.
- A one-stop shop concept has been introduced to simplify export procedures.
- An electronic payment platform has been launched to facilitate online transactions.
