Tunisia's traditional industries sector contributes around 4% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 2% to national exports. According to Minister of Tourism and Traditional Industries, Sufian Tkaia, the sector's exports reached approximately 160 million dinars in 2025. The minister provided this information during a session of the Assembly of People's Representatives and the National Council of Regions and Districts.
The Ministry of Tourism and Traditional Industries is preparing a preliminary list of 24 traditional products with local and regional specificities, aiming to protect and enhance them through intellectual property mechanisms. These products include pottery, ceramics, engraved stones, mosaics, textiles, rugs, traditional clothing, plant fibers, and wood. Examples of products on the list are Nablus ceramics, Sijnan pottery, and Kairouan rugs.
The Ministry is working on establishing a quality label for traditional industries to boost consumer trust and ensure products meet approved specifications. To encourage artisans to protect their innovations and products, the Ministry has introduced a 70% reduction in fees for registering designs, models, and trademarks with the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Property.
Minister Tkaia highlighted the role of design centers in combining traditional knowledge with contemporary creativity. These centers, located in several governorates, involve young designers and university graduates in renewing and developing products. Over 50% of participants in some traditional industries fairs are young people and university graduates.
The Ministry is also focusing on export support mechanisms, particularly the "Easy Export" program, to facilitate access for traditional products to foreign markets. This initiative aims to assist artisans and expand the reach of Tunisian traditional industries globally.
In the area of cruise tourism, Tunisia has received 165 cruise ships from January to October 2026, compared to 127 for the entire year of 2025. The Minister expects this growth to continue, with plans to expand cruise tourism to other ports, including Sousse and Jerjis.
The Ministry aims to link cruise tourism with traditional villages, archaeological sites, and cultural areas, particularly in southern Tunisia. This strategy seeks to distribute tourism benefits across different regions and enhance the contribution of the tourism sector to the national economy.
Key points
- Tunisia's traditional industries exports reached 160 million dinars in 2025.
- The Ministry is preparing a list of 24 traditional products for protection.
- Cruise tourism in Tunisia has seen significant growth, with 165 ships visiting from January to October 2026.
