The sustainable growth of Tunisia’s economy is a major focus of U.S. assistance programs. The Assistance Unit supports the Tunisian government’s efforts to adopt reforms and practices that improve competitiveness, create inclusive opportunities, improve job creation, and increase sustainable economic growth. The AU funds economic assistance programs that strengthen the private sector and employment opportunities and advocate for the equitable and responsible management of natural resources and public finances.
Support Legal Trade, and Investment Capacity Building
AU programming supports the government’s implementation of reforms to improve the private sector’s access to finance, diversify the economy, and enhance the role of innovation and technology, with a specific focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The AU provides technical assistance to private stakeholders on franchising, contract enforcement, technology transfer, intellectual property, e-commerce, insolvency, and trade facilitation.
Increase Inclusive Private Sector Employment
The AU addresses unemployment and encourages local development through job training and placement, with a focus on gender parity, youth, and inclusion of people with disabilities. AU programming also works to improve the Tunisian entrepreneurial ecosystem through the creation of an innovative and globally oriented environment for startups and the protection of intellectual property.
Strengthen the Business Climate in Marginalized Areas
AU programming focuses on enhancing the business climate and generating improved economic performance in marginalized areas. The AU’s projects create employment opportunities for Tunisian artisans, especially rural women, and female cooperatives by developing handicraft value chains while increasing domestic and export sales, thereby improving profit margins. This assistance is focused on the Northwest governorates, Sidi Bouzid, and Sfax. The AU also aims to build the capacity of the Chambers of Commerce of Beja, Gabes, and Gafsa to serve as major drivers of local development and investment within their communities.
Improve the Responsible Management of Natural Resources by Strengthening Tunisia’s Electric Grid
AU programming encourages responsible, equitable resource management through energy efficiency. The AU is helping Tunisia decrease its reliance on imported natural gas, protecting foreign currency reserves, and allowing the government to direct its revenues elsewhere. Current projects aim to accelerate Tunisia’s energy efficiency through a pilot for advanced smart grid technology. The project is also conducting a technical feasibility study of the existing grid management infrastructure in Tunisia to inform an upgrade of STEG’s energy distribution system.
Srengthen Tunisia’s Agriculture Ecosystem
The AU enhances the development of the Tunisian agriculture sector through technical assistance to the Agency for Training and Agricultural Extension (AVFA) and through the modernization of targeted training centers around the country. AU programming boosts the efficiency and technical capacity of Tunisian farmers by providing tools, knowledge, access to markets, and institutional and businesses linkages that will allow them to grow the agricultural sector.
