Case Study
Tunisia Export Promotion Agency (CEPEX):
Export Development & Institutional Capacity Building
Building Bridges from Tunisia to the World
Senior Management of BBD’s team led a three-year initiative to strengthen Tunisia’s export ecosystem, equipping institutions and SMEs with the tools and strategies needed to compete globally, with a focus on developed country markets.
PROJECT RESULTS
- Enhanced Tunisia institutional ability to guide and support exporters nationwide
- Provided practical tools for prioritizing high-potential SMEs and engaging relevant international buyers
- New digital platforms to promote agri-food, textiles, and ICT sectors globally
OBJECTIVES
- Strengthen the export capabilities of Tunisian SMEs
- Build institutional capacity of CEPEX and regional chambers of commerce to guide SMEs’ exports
- Support SME entry into international markets through strategic guidance and tools
SOLUTIONS
- Designed and managed a 3-year donor-funded initiative end-to-end
- Conducted sector-specific market research across 3 priority industries
- Delivered institutional capacity assessments and 8 tailored workshops
- Produced benchmarking study of leading global trade promotion agencies
- Developed “picking winners” and “picking buyers”
frameworks to guide SME and buyer targeting - Created 3 export promotion websites and sector-specific
marketing brochures
CONCLUSION
Direct SME success stories: Tunisian companies secured export deals and entered new markets. Through the multi-phased approach, Tunisia’s institutions and SMEs were equipped with the strategies, tools, and platforms to compete more effectively in international markets and drive long-term export growth. Our work led to a series of successful export deals in Europe for Tunisian SMEs.
