Tunis: Representatives of nine Tunisian small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) support structures from the private and public sectors on Tuesday officially launched the “Enterprise Europe Network Tunisia” to take advantage of the “Enterprise Europe Network,” which operates in 39 countries.
These include the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (APII), the network coordinator, the Tunisia Export Promotion Centre (CEPEX), Smart Tunisian Technoparks (S2T), the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade, and Handicrafts (UTICA), the Confederation of Citizen Enterprises of Tunisia (CONECT), the Tunis Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIT), the National Agency for Energy Management (ANME), the International Centre for Environmental Technologies of Tunis (CITET), and the Technical Centre for Mechanical and Electrical Industries.
Speaking at the EEN Tunisia launch conference on Tuesday, Fatma Thabet, Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, stressed that the EEN is a rich source of business information and c
onnections, as well as a source of regional and European synergies.
She explained that the revival of the network in Tunisia and the involvement of Tunisian companies in its activities will significantly strengthen economic resilience by diversifying revenue sources and reducing dependence on specific sectors or markets.
Thabet said that by establishing collaborations with different actors and exploring new areas of activity, businesses can better prepare themselves for emerging challenges and opportunities.
She stressed the need for Tunisian companies to embark on innovative projects, strengthen their relations with international partners and position themselves in new markets in order to increase their competitiveness and find new development niches.
For his part, APII CEO Amor Bouzouada told TAP that the network will provide tailor-made support to Tunisian SMEs.
It will streamline technology transfer and help companies identify and respond to calls for joint research and development projects with thei
r foreign counterparts.
It will also link companies with key market players to promote Tunisian products internationally and open up new market opportunities.
Bouzouada stressed that the network targets all sectors and innovative products that meet international standards and sustainable development objectives.
He added that all partner organisations in the network will support and guide companies to keep pace with global trends in environmental protection, energy management and corporate social responsibility.
UTICA representative Adel Manaa noted that the EEN will support Tunisian companies in their quest for innovation and market expansion in Europe. It will serve as a gateway to numerous strategic and operational opportunities for SMEs.
He explained that the network can meet the needs of companies seeking to innovate, grow and succeed internationally through a comprehensive range of support services and networking.
Manaa added that through this extensive network, companies can access a dynamic and d
iverse innovation ecosystem, allowing them to express and develop their research, development and innovation initiatives and projects.
Anna Sibilla, Project Advisor at European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency (EISMEA), recalled that the network, launched in 2008, includes 500 organisations, 39 countries and 3000 advisors.
The network enables the creation of business and technology exchange partnerships, facilitates the search for partners for research and innovation projects, and conducts and shares market intelligence analysis.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse