Tunisia's Minister of Tourism and Traditional Industries, Sofiane Tikaia, officially opened the third edition of the ARTICREA traditional industries salon on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Kram Exhibition Palace in Tunis. The event, organized by the National Office for Traditional Industries in partnership with the National University for Traditional Industries and the Tunis International Fair Company, brings together 228 craft enterprises from across the country. Of these, 60% are managed by women, and 40% are run by graduates of higher education.
The salon aims to support the competitiveness of Tunisia's traditional industries, enhance marketing and export opportunities, and provide a professional platform for artisans to connect with buyers, professionals, and institutions. The event will run until October 11, 2026, and is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm. During his tour of the salon, Minister Tikaia observed the diverse range of handicrafts on display, including ceramics, pottery, jewelry, textiles, leather goods, woodwork, cosmetics, and sweets.
Minister Tikaia also engaged with several artisans and enterprise owners, listening to their concerns and proposals regarding the development of their activities, improvement of working conditions, and marketing. He visited the Tunis Africa News Agency (WAT) stand, where he was greeted by the agency's General Director, Nadjib El Missaoui. The minister praised the agency's role as a media partner in supporting the tourism sector and promoting Tunisia's traditional industries.
According to Leila Maslati, General Director of the National Office for Traditional Industries, the country's traditional industry exports reached approximately 58 million dinars by the end of August 2026, representing a 3% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This accounts for around 2% of Tunisia's total export value. The current edition of the salon features, for the first time, international guests, including representatives from Canada, Malta, and Sweden.
The salon also attracts international buyers and journalists, in collaboration with the Export Promotion Center, Tunisian Post, and the Tunisian National Tourism Office. The goal is to promote Tunisian traditional products and enhance their presence in foreign markets. Twelve public and private institutions support the traditional industries sector and export, including the Tunisian-American Chamber of Commerce, which is participating for the first time.
The event features various spaces, including a commercial area, a section for supporting structures, workshops on export procedures and e-commerce, and a space for international cooperation and media. The "Cadeau Idee" space showcases the latest innovations from participating craft enterprises, with efforts to digitize these products and promote them nationally and internationally.
In the context of international cooperation, the salon presents products developed by Tunisian artisans in collaboration with partners from Canada, Malta, and Sweden. These include new products in the Sajnane pottery specialty, created within a six-month cooperation program. The workshops provide artisans with knowledge of export mechanisms, particularly the "Easy Export" program via Tunisian Post, as well as topics related to e-commerce, investment, design, and innovation.
Key points
- The third edition of the ARTICREA traditional industries salon in Tunis features 228 craft enterprises and aims to support the competitiveness of Tunisia's traditional industries.
- The event promotes Tunisian traditional products and enhances their presence in foreign markets, with international guests and buyers in attendance.
- Tunisia's traditional industry exports reached approximately 58 million dinars by the end of August 2026, representing a 3% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
