The European Union (EU) has allocated an investment of 650 thousand dinars to fund a Tunisian-Italian food packaging project “POLYMEDA.”
The aim of this cross-border cooperation project financed by the EU within the framework of the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) is to achieve an economic, social, institutional and cultural integration between Tunisian and Sicilian territories and particularly between the Tunisian city of Ariana and the Italian province of Syracuse.
The two-year project provides for the training of 20 Tunisian technicians and employees in food industries and plastics to initiate them to food packaging mechanisms in accordance with the European standards required for exports.
This initiative is part of a joint strategy between the Regional Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (URICA) of Ariana and the Italian province of Syracuse.
The action plan developed in this framework provides for analyses and studies (on the ground) of productive sectors in both regions to explore the potentials for developing cross-border cooperation and identifying needs in matters of packaging dedicated to food industries.
A window for innovation will be created within this framework to support patenting, spin-off (sub-products) and business start-up activities.
It is intended to encourage exporters to use new technologies and be innovative in industrial packaging to meet international standards.
The project will also help build ties between Tunisian and European laboratories active in packaging.
