To date, in partnership with Microfinance Institution (MFI) Advans Tunisie and NGO Tunisian Association for Management and Social Stability (TAMSS) USAID Visit Tunisia has supported 605 micro and very small enterprises (MVSEs) with microlending, grant, and digital marketing coaching support to date— a significant achievement of 60.5% progress towards the overall goal of supporting 1,000 businesses in the tourism sector. The MVSEs owners comprise 50,74% of women and 44,46% of youth.
Helping a Tunisian Handicraft MVSE from Nabeul Increase its Sales by 20%
Read on and watch the video below to hear directly from Oussama Bouaouina, an artisan from Nabeul—a renowned hub for pottery artisans in Tunisia—how the trio of support (microlending, grant, and digital marketing coaching) has helped him increase its sales by 20%.
At 30, Oussama has already built a reputation that precedes him in Nabeul. His entrepreneurial journey started in 2016 in a garage transformed into a ceramic workshop. Today, his project has grown, as has his team of 9 artisans. Together, they make unique pieces and sell them to the international market and locally to hotels and traditional cafés. After receiving a micro-loan, a grant, and digital marketing training, Oussama noticed a significant increase in his sales.
“My name is Oussama Bouaouina, I am 30 years old. I started this project at a garage in 2016, but I had learned this craft even earlier. When it comes to my project, I am very grateful because I am considered one of the major ceramists in this industry, which is very significant, thankfully. I sell my products to the tourism industry; I sell a lot to hotels, to traditional cafés. I also export outside of Tunisia. Thankfully, the project has grown, and I've grown my team to 9 employees, in total. I requested a loan from ADVANS. They told me about the Siyahatuna program. I liked this program and I applied for it. Siyahatuna program helped me develop my project. It is connected to tourism inherently. When the tourism sector performs well, my revenues increase. Cafés, hotels, and restaurants are all part of the tourism sector, and it all affects my work as a potter. When I got the loan [TND 5000], I bought new trays for the oven since it is essential for our work. When it came to the grant [TND 800], I used it to buy boxes for the project, and the compliance office helped me make business cards. The training helped me obtain business cards so that when I go somewhere I can present them. We also made an attractive logo. This is how I benefited from the program. To anyone with a tourism project, I encourage you all to apply for the Siyahatuna program because, first of all, it offers good training. It would help you make progress, develop your project and even increase your sales significantly. For example, it encouraged me, and I learned from the mentor to advance my project and improve my interactions with people and others, etc. This would help you improve your business a lot. It is a great program.” — Oussama Bououina, owner of a clay pottery workshop in Nabeul.
Helping a Handicraft MVSE from Kerkennah Expand His Business and Generate Local Community Jobs
Read on and watch the video below for a personal anecdote about how this program has helped Amine Gnuidez, an artisan from the island of Kerkennah—a burgeoning touristic destination in Tunisia—expand his business.
Passionate about preserving traditional Tunisian crafts and industries, Amine Gnuidez began his entrepreneurial journey by handcrafting unique pieces from natural palm fiber (Drina) to sell to local tourists. As his project grew, it transformed into the successful handicraft workshop and boutique "ARTKAYA,” located in Kerkennah. Through 'Our Tourism’ program, Amine has significantly expanded his project, leading to the creation of employment opportunities for the local community along the way.
“I am Amine Gnuidez, an Interior Designer from Kerkennah and the founder of the ARTKAYA brand. It was established in 2021 and specializes in palm natural fiber crafts, which are part of our cultural heritage, particularly the "Drina." We create decorative items using palm fiber. After my graduation and a long journey in the field of design and crafts, I decided to embark on a modern project that blends ancient roots with contemporary utility. I relied on the "Drina" (fish trap basket), a traditional fishing technique in Charfia, and leveraged it to produce models and crafts suitable for daily use. Each item I produce has a story behind it, offering an opportunity to promote cultural heritage and tourism in Kerkennah. Before 2024, I obtained a loan that allowed me to produce the new collection. After obtaining the loan, I benefited from training sessions in marketing techniques. During the training, I learned about marketing strategies, creating posts on social media platforms, pricing items, branding, and marketing products effectively. Following the training, I received a grant. With the grant, I applied what I learned in the training to develop new flyers and business cards for marketing purposes. ‘Our Tourism’ program helped me expand my team and enhance their capabilities. In my team, I have artisans, including fishermen, craftswomen, and younger individuals under 35 years old. Seizing opportunities like this program is essential and beneficial. Personally, it has aided and motivated me. It's encouraging to see ongoing support for the tourism sector in Tunisia.” — Amine Gnuidez, owner of the handicraft workshop and boutique ‘ARTKAYA’ in Kerkennah.
