Bijoux de l’Oasis is a 42-member agricultural development group that produces dates and natural herb products in the small town of Nouia, in the Kebili governorate of Tunisia.
As part of a private sector engagement approach called a Global Development Alliance, USAID is supporting the group through its Tunisia JOBS activity. USAID helped Bijoux de l’Oasis land a large contract with a French firm – a contract that is expected to increase sales sevenfold and lead to 11 new jobs.
Additionally, French cooperative Ethiquable, which specializes in gourmet organic products, wants to order dried organic mint from Bijoux de l’Oasis, but has strict quality and fair-trade requirements. Tunisia JOBS is helping Bijoux de l’Oasis implement international fair-trade standards and train staff in growing and drying organic mint to fill this high-value contract.