USAID Mashrou3i Celebrates the Launch of 8 Start-ups and the Creation of 140 New Jobs in Tozeur

Tozeur – 11 September 2019

In partnership with the Regional Business Center, USAID Mashrou3i organized a ceremony in Tozeur to celebrate the successful launch of 8 start-ups and the creation of around 140 new jobs in the region.

Mohamed El Arbi, CEO of Oasis Services, présents his production of « Palm Power »

The Mashrou3i Start Up Day, held at the Palm Beach hotel in Tozeur, brought together the Governor of Tozeur, Mr. Mohamed Aymen Bejaoui, staff from local business support institutions and Mashrou3i project beneficiaries to celebrate the launch of 8 new start ups in the region. It was also an opportunity to reinforce local support for the project and to highlight results achieved so far.

Thanks to the ongoing support of Mashrou3i, 8 young entrepreneurs from Tozeur recently launched their startups covering diverse sectors including agribusiness, services and industry. In the last year, the USAID-funded project, has also helped create around 140 jobs through business coaching and technical training provided to 12 selected enterprises in the region.

The Governor of Tozeur, Mr. Mohamed Aymen Béjaoui, acknowledged the contribution of the Mashrou3i project to the region, emphasizing that these results benefit the entire South-West of Tunisia. He called for “an increase in interventions for other start-up entrepreneurs and especially the extension of the program among graduates and students of the University of Tozeur.”

Safa Jaouadi, engineer and founder of a company specialized in water well drilling in Tozeur which employs 2 people.

Safa Jaouadi, engineer and founder of a company specialized in water well drilling that employs 2 people, is one of the 8 start ups supported by Mashrou3i. To help ensure the

successful launch and sustainability of her business, Mashrou3i funded a 6,000 TND software and provided her with training in financial incentives and sales techniques to reinforce her soft skills.

“I decided to invest in my region because the water well drilling sector offers many opportunities. In Tozeur, a developed study and hard work are needed to drill deep to find water in our soils. I’m grateful that I can help solve a real problem for many farmers in the region, which will also promote the region’s products and rich culture”, says Safa.