The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on Friday the launch of its Advice for Small Business Programme.
This initiative is part of the EU-funded Competitiveness Support Programme (PACS).
Under this programme, the EBRD will support 10 trade associations to help them become more efficient in terms of operation and management and to improve their service offerings.
The selected associations are active in the services sector, in particular the information and communication technology sector, the transport and logistics sector, the professional services sector and tourism and Crafts.
The Bank implements the PACS objectives by providing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with access to quality advisory services and sector development activities while strengthening the institutional capacities of professional associations and intermediary organisations.
"We believe that professional associations have a key role to play in promoting SME development. As a result of this action, professional associations will be able to offer high added value services to their members. Under the PACS framework, the EBRD will mobilise the local and international know-how needed to achieve this objective, "said Anis El Fahem, Small Business Support - National Programme Manager at EBRD.
The EBRD, which has been investing in Tunisia since September 2012, has contributed more than €350 million ($373 million) to more than 25 projects.
The Bank has provided technical assistance to more than 370 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Tunisia.
