Tunisia-USA: A Unique Roadshow!
12 January 2012
Read by 1390 persons
The American-Tunisian Chamber of Commerce organized, on Wednesday in Tunis, for the second time in Tunisia, the Roadshow "Doing Business with the USA". The first one, held in 2010, consisted of a series of seminars in Tunis, Sousse, Bizerte and Sfax to inform the public about possible partnership opportunities between business people from both countries.
The aim is to educate entrepreneurs and, essentially, the Tunisian private sector on the various aspects of trade with the United States, including how to penetrate the American market.
According to Gordon Gray, US Ambassador to Tunis, it is essential to open new markets for Tunisian exporters. The priority is to overcome economic challenges, even if many factors, stemming from the international crisis, are not under their direct control. He also affirmed his country's determination to support economic recovery in Tunisia and to accompany it in achieving its ambitions in this area.
"The United States strongly supports Tunisia's transition to democracy and to an open economic system governed by the rule of law. We believe that strengthening trade and economic integration between the United States and Tunisia to promote economic growth and employment is an important component of our support for this process."
It is essential to facilitate exchanges, promote trade and investment, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, reduce barriers to investment in key service sectors, particularly in information and communication technology services, financial services and services related to clean energy; strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights and promote the rule of law through increased transparency, including public participation in the development of regulations, and fight corruption."
The diplomat spoke about the US vision of the Tunisian political scene, stating that his country is ready to work with the newly elected democratic government. The Tunisian revolution is the work of the people who, by triggering it, inspired the whole world and the American people, he said.
Today, we all see how this revolution has spread to other countries, Egypt, Libya, Syria and elsewhere. President Barack Obama is personally involved, and provides the necessary support, particularly for economic development and the promotion of the private sector," he stressed.
For his part, the FAMEX representative spoke about Tunisia's position in the American market. "Tunisia is the 89th customer of the USA, far from the position we could achieve," he indicated.
In the USA, there are 1 million restaurants, meaning a very large market for Tunisia, not to mention that we are providers of skills capable of working with the USA in various fields," he added.
Khaled Souayah, representative of the Oil Exporter company, mentioned the subject of olive oil, one of the main Tunisian products exported to the USA. "Tunisia is the third supplier of olive oil to the USA. During the 2010/2011 season, we exported some 4200 tons of packaged olive oil for a value of 17 million dinars," he noted.
It is clear that in 2010, the United States was Tunisia's fifth largest trading partner. Between 2009 and 2010, the volume of bilateral trade (exports and imports) increased by 18%, as it had increased throughout the previous decade.
Bilateral trade between the United States and Tunisia was estimated at $976 million in 2010, representing only the 96th US trade relationship.
US exports to Tunisia amounted to $571 million in 2010, while imports were $406 million.
The main products exported by the United States to Tunisia are cereal seeds and fruits, cereals, equipment, fats and oils.
Tunisia mainly exports mineral fuel, fats and oils, woven clothing, electrical equipment and precious stones to the United States.
US direct investment in Tunisia reached $220 million in 2009, the last year for which data is available.
Nadia Ben Tamansourt.
Africanmanager.com
Published January 11, 2012.
Posted online January 12, 2012.
The aim is to educate entrepreneurs and, essentially, the Tunisian private sector on the various aspects of trade with the United States, including how to penetrate the American market.
According to Gordon Gray, US Ambassador to Tunis, it is essential to open new markets for Tunisian exporters. The priority is to overcome economic challenges, even if many factors, stemming from the international crisis, are not under their direct control. He also affirmed his country's determination to support economic recovery in Tunisia and to accompany it in achieving its ambitions in this area.
"The United States strongly supports Tunisia's transition to democracy and to an open economic system governed by the rule of law. We believe that strengthening trade and economic integration between the United States and Tunisia to promote economic growth and employment is an important component of our support for this process."
It is essential to facilitate exchanges, promote trade and investment, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, reduce barriers to investment in key service sectors, particularly in information and communication technology services, financial services and services related to clean energy; strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights and promote the rule of law through increased transparency, including public participation in the development of regulations, and fight corruption."
The diplomat spoke about the US vision of the Tunisian political scene, stating that his country is ready to work with the newly elected democratic government. The Tunisian revolution is the work of the people who, by triggering it, inspired the whole world and the American people, he said.
Today, we all see how this revolution has spread to other countries, Egypt, Libya, Syria and elsewhere. President Barack Obama is personally involved, and provides the necessary support, particularly for economic development and the promotion of the private sector," he stressed.
For his part, the FAMEX representative spoke about Tunisia's position in the American market. "Tunisia is the 89th customer of the USA, far from the position we could achieve," he indicated.
In the USA, there are 1 million restaurants, meaning a very large market for Tunisia, not to mention that we are providers of skills capable of working with the USA in various fields," he added.
Khaled Souayah, representative of the Oil Exporter company, mentioned the subject of olive oil, one of the main Tunisian products exported to the USA. "Tunisia is the third supplier of olive oil to the USA. During the 2010/2011 season, we exported some 4200 tons of packaged olive oil for a value of 17 million dinars," he noted.
It is clear that in 2010, the United States was Tunisia's fifth largest trading partner. Between 2009 and 2010, the volume of bilateral trade (exports and imports) increased by 18%, as it had increased throughout the previous decade.
Bilateral trade between the United States and Tunisia was estimated at $976 million in 2010, representing only the 96th US trade relationship.
US exports to Tunisia amounted to $571 million in 2010, while imports were $406 million.
The main products exported by the United States to Tunisia are cereal seeds and fruits, cereals, equipment, fats and oils.
Tunisia mainly exports mineral fuel, fats and oils, woven clothing, electrical equipment and precious stones to the United States.
US direct investment in Tunisia reached $220 million in 2009, the last year for which data is available.
Nadia Ben Tamansourt.
Africanmanager.com
Published January 11, 2012.
Posted online January 12, 2012.
