Wided Bouchamaoui President of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) – Employers’ organization – was overwhelmingly delighted to hear that the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, of which the UTICA is a member, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 9.

In the following interview, Bouchamaoui reveals the most challenging moments she went through during the national dialogue, which brought Tunisia out of a severe political crisis that threatened to derail the transitional process.

Wided Bouchamaoui President of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) – Employers’ organization – was overwhelmingly delighted to hear that the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, of which the UTICA is a member, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 9.

In the following interview, Bouchamaoui reveals the most challenging moments she went through during the national dialogue, which brought Tunisia out of a severe political crisis that threatened to derail the transitional process.

Ms. Bouchamaoui, how did feel when you knew that the quartet won the Nobel Peace Prize?

I felt proud of my country and of my belonging to a deeply-rooted organization, the UTICA. I also felt proud as a Tunisian woman, representing what a Tunisian woman can attain.

To whom do you dedicate this historic award which Tunisia has won for the first time?

First of all, the prize is neither for me, nor for the quartet. It is for all Tunisians and for the souls of our dear country’s martyrs, including the Tunisian revolutionary martyrs, who struggled for freedom and democracy. I present this prize to martyrs Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi and to the martyrs of the security and military institution, who fell while defending the country’s sanctity, stability and social peace, and confronted Takfiri and destructive groups.

I also dedicate this prize to the Tunisian civil society and its strong constituents united by cohesion, solidarity and full awareness to defend the gains of the state and of women and the values of freedom and democracy, the price of which was paid with the blood of Tunisians during the revolution.

As a woman, I present it to Tunisian women. I am a Tunisian woman who learnt in Tunisian schools, studied in the Tunisian University, trained by Tunisians and work with Tunisians, of which I am proud. Finally, I dedicate this prize to the soul of my father, Hadi Bouchamaoui.

When the national dialogue started, there was a lot of disagreement. Did you feel, at a certain point, that the quartet’s effort to reach an agreement and to find a way out of the political crisis was a waste of time and in vain?

For me, the dialogue was a distinguished and unique experience. However, it was sometimes full of disagreements and tension among its parties of political parties and active and influential persons. There were arguments and debates, which made it difficult for us to bring close the contradicting and different points of view, but, in the end, we managed to attain the desired agreement in the best interest of the country.

What were the most difficult moments that you still remember from the national dialogue?

I was frustrated when the dialogue was suspended because the political parties failed to reach an agreement on a consensual prime minister. The public opinion was waiting and pressing to achieve some result. Personally, I felt that the country’s future was depending on the results of the very long, exhausting and difficult national dialogue meetings. On the night of the supposed announcement to name of the prime minister, I felt great tension and distress because we stayed up until late at night thinking of what we were going to say to the people who were counting on us and who had confidence in us, but we could not reach a result. Also difficult was when we were accused, as a handicraft union, of being non-patriotic and when our intentions regarding the national dialogue were questioned.

After the success you made in the national dialogue, do you feel that you have changed the negative view held by some Tunisians towards business people?

I cannot, of course, change everyone’s view of the UTICA. The UTICA is a deeply-rooted organization that was founded in 1947 and its founders took part in the independence battle. The UTICA was represented in the Constituent Assembly after independence. Thus, I believe no one can doubt our patriotism and that we serve our country honestly and with good intentions.

Some of course do not respect the law. This happens in all sectors and domains. We support and meet with all honest people who play an active role in building this country. Everyone who knows the history of this country knows very well the important role played by the UTICA throughout all phases of the modern state building, including during the revolution when it supplied the market and provided all commercial and industrial services, thanks to us as employers and to the workers who supported us.

After the quartet’s efforts, do you feel that the country is pursuing the right way?

We are certainly moving in the right direction, but there are still many challenges and threats. Today, the elected and legitimate institutions have a big role to play in maintaining the achievements of the transitional phase and confronting the challenges of this period effectively, firmly and collectively. We will always support whoever works for the welfare of Tunisia and for a civil and democratic state.

Are you with changing the national dialogue into an autonomous and permanent institution, operating in parallel with the elected legitimate institutions?

No, I am not. The national dialogue came in a fragile transitional phase when state institutions were not stable. Today, however, there are constitutionally elected structures and institutions and we should simply respect them and let them perform their functions. We may give our opinion if requested by these constitutional institutions, but we will not try to replace them or surpass their jurisdiction.

Can the prize remove the tension between you and your dialogue partner, the Tunisian General Labour Union – UGTT – because of your disagreement about private sector’s wage increase?

There is no tension, only disagreement in opinions because each of us defends the interests of its respective members. We however have not withdrawn from dialogue with the UGTT, and we will always keep our hands extended for any dialogue with it. In fact, the prize may quicken the agreement on some points to reach solutions acceptable for both parties.