The MoU was signed by Euratex and Tunisia’s FTTH at the Monastir Technopole in Tunisia. It underlines a mutual commitment to closer industrial cooperation with a focus on sustainability, investment, and trade integration within the revised Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention framework.
The agreement is said to be a pivotal move towards fostering a structured dialogue and concrete collaboration between the two textile sectors amid shifts in global supply chains and a rising emphasis on sustainable production practices.
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EURATEX president Mario Jorge Machado explained: “Europe and Tunisia share a long-standing partnership. While our systems may differ, our industries are deeply complementary. In a time of regulatory transformation and increasing environmental ambitions, working together is essential.
“This MoU offers a practical framework to improve competitiveness, drive innovation, and reinforce the resilience of our shared textile ecosystem.”
The agreement also signals a larger intent to rejuvenate and bolster industrial collaborations throughout the Mediterranean region.
Tunisia has emerged as a reliable and strategically positioned ally in the shifting geopolitical and economic landscape, according to EURATEX.
By advocating for a Mediterranean model of collaboration that emphasises proximity, mutual trust, and shared economic benefits, the MoU with FTTH aligns with the broader goal of fortifying regional supply chains, reducing dependence on far-flung sourcing networks, and promoting nearshoring tactics for the European textile industry.
These measures are said to be not just economically imperative but also crucial for fostering a sustainable and resilient European textile industry.
The latest agreement is also said to reinforce Tunisia’s vision to evolve into a circular, and competitive textile hub while promoting investment and industrial synergies with its European counterparts.
The country’s textile and clothing industry has over 160,000 jobs and encompasses upwards of 1,600 active companies. In 2024, the nation’s exports of textiles and clothing to the EU amounted to €2.5bn ($2.8bn), underscoring its key role as a nearshoring partner.
The signing ceremony was attended by the Monastir Governor, Tunisia’s Minister of Industry, the EU Ambassador to Tunisia, and business representatives from both regions.
