Latest news with #ExportPromotionCenter
African Manager
3 days ago
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia: 70% of country's exports go to EU
Riadh Bezzarga, Director of Market Studies and Strategy at the Export Promotion Center (CEPEX), announced that Tunisian exports in 2024 are estimated at 62 billion dinars, while exports to African markets (goods only) reached just 0.25 billion dinars, about 4%. Speaking on Express FM' during the first edition of the Africa Business Partnership Days held at the Exporters' House and running through June 25, Bezzarga noted that five main markets: Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Cameroon, and Gabon alone account for nearly 50% of Tunisia's exports to Africa. He pointed out that Tunisia is working to diversify its export markets, as 70% of its exports currently go to the European Union. This heavy dependence poses a risk in the event of crises in Europe. Accordingly, efforts have been made to reorient exports toward America, Africa, and Asia. A specific strategy for sub-Saharan Africa has been implemented, expanding beyond goods to include services in sectors such as healthcare, private universities, banking, and new technologies. He also noted that over 80% of Tunisian exports come from fully export-oriented companies, meaning the actual share of exports to Africa exceeds 4%, especially when compared to just 1% twenty years ago.
Libya Review
19-06-2025
- Business
- Libya Review
Tunisian MPs Call for Stronger Economic Ties with Libya
Tunisian members of parliament have renewed calls to reactivate long-stalled free trade zones with Libya, urging the government to take a more active role in Libya's reconstruction and regional economic integration. The appeal came during a consultative meeting with representatives from Tunisia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to a statement from the parliament. Members of the parliamentary group for cooperation with Arab states urged the government to strengthen its diplomatic efforts to secure Tunisia's economic presence in post-conflict Libya. They also called for the reactivation of free trade zones with both Libya and Algeria, stressing that regional economic integration is essential for Tunisia's future growth. Lawmakers emphasized the potential benefits of re-engaging with Libya, especially as estimates from Tunisia's Export Promotion Center suggest that rebuilding Libya could require up to $570 billion in investment. Tunisian businesses, particularly in construction, infrastructure, and industrial supplies, could benefit significantly if positioned strategically. Libya remains Tunisia's top trade partner in both the Arab world and Africa, and fifth globally. Tunisian industrial goods already represent 40% of exports to Libya, while Libya provides Tunisia with energy products and raw materials like iron and steel. However, the absence of a functioning free trade zone continues to limit growth in cross-border commerce. The Ben Guerdane free trade zone, announced more than a decade ago on Tunisia's border with Libya, was intended to be a hub for regional trade and economic cooperation. But the project has remained stuck in its initial phase, with only preliminary groundwork and technical studies completed. Lawmakers now view this delay as a strategic failure at a time when other regional players are expanding their economic influence in Libya. During the meeting, parliamentarians also discussed Tunisia's role in supporting Libya's political stabilization and called for renewed momentum in reviving Maghreb-wide cooperation. The discussion underscored the urgency of translating regional diplomacy into tangible economic action. Tags: libyaparliamentTrade ZoneTunisia
African Manager
23-05-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia: 1st edition of 'Africa Business Partnership Days' June 23-25 in Tunis
The Export Promotion Center (CEPEX) is organizing the first edition of Africa Business Partnership Days (ABPD 2025) from June 23 to 25, 2025, in Tunis, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad. Aligned with Tunisia's national strategy to boost trade with Sub-Saharan African countries, ABPD 2025 targets business leaders in key sectors, including agri-food industries, construction & building materials, services, healthcare (medical & paramedical products, medical supplies, etc.) and ICT. The program of the days, organized with the support of the 'Arab Africa Trade Bridges' program (funded by the ITFC) and the 'Qawafel' program (funded by the AFD), includes the organization of 1,000 business meetings for 100 Tunisian companies with over 25 buyers, importers and distributors. Institutional bodies (TPOs and CCI) from sub-Saharan African countries, including Uganda, the Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Gabon, Guinea and Burkina Faso, are expected to attend the event. Tunisian companies interested in participating in ABPD 2025 are invited to register via the following link by 2 June 2025: httpss://
African Manager
17-05-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisian companies explore Kenyan market
Seven Tunisian companies specializing in medical equipment and supplies, food supplements, paramedical products, and hospital engineering took part in a business mission to Kenya, organized by the Export Promotion Center (CEPEX) and the Tunisian Embassy in Nairobi from May 14 to 16. According to CEPEX, the mission aimed to increase exports from the health sector to East Africa. It enabled the participating companies to hold strategic meetings with key public institutions in the Kenyan health sector, including the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), the Mission for Essential Medicines and Supplies (MEDS), and the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade). The Tunisian companies also visited public and private hospitals, specialist clinics, and Kenyan distributors. They also participated in the 25th MEDEXPO trade fair, which was held in Nairobi from May 14 to 16. MEDEXPO is one of the largest events dedicated to the medical and pharmaceutical industries in East Africa. This year, it attracted 139 exhibitors from 30 countries, including India, Iran, Turkey and Indonesia. The first day of the show attracted nearly 1,500 trade visitors, primarily regional importers and distributors. A networking event was organized at the Tunisian Residence in Nairobi on the sidelines of the show, bringing together Tunisian companies with around twenty economic and institutional players from the Kenyan medical sector. This provided an opportunity to consolidate relationships, establish the basis for future collaboration, and reinforce Tunisia's image as a strategic regional partner. With over 14,000 healthcare facilities registered in 2022 — a 13% increase over five years — and pharmaceutical imports reaching $793.4 million in 2024 (4% of total imports), Kenya is emerging as a promising market. The country aims to become a regional medical hub and is investing heavily in improving its hospital infrastructure. The business mission to Kenya was conducted with the support of the Qawafel project and the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) program. The 'Qawafel' project, which supports the internationalization of Tunisian start-ups and SMEs on the African continent, is financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). The project's main goal is to contribute to job creation and inclusive economic development in Tunisia, as well as its integration into African markets. The AATB program is a multi-donor, multi-country, multi-organization initiative that aims to promote and increase trade and investment between African and Arab countries.
African Manager
22-04-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia issues over 200 certificates of origin under AfCFTA
As part of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Tunisia has issued between 200 and 300 certificates of origin for the export of local products to several African countries. According to Chawki Jaballi, Head of Customs Capacity Building and Training at the AfCFTA secretariat, this is a satisfactory figure given the obstacles encountered on the continent. A certificate of origin is an official document confirming the country in which a product was manufactured, processed or handled. This certificate is essential for the customs clearance process, as it proves the origin of the product when it enters the importing country. Thanks to this document, exporters can benefit from reduced customs duties'. This mechanism should be strengthened with the progressive implementation of the AfCFTA, allowing for the elimination of customs duties by January 2026,' he adds. According to the Export Promotion Center (CEPEX), Tunisia has untapped potential in terms of exports to the African continent, estimated at around $1.2 billion. Despite ongoing efforts, Tunisia's exports to certain key African markets remain limited and this potential remains largely untapped. The geographical areas with the greatest export potential for Tunisia are North Africa, with an estimated potential of $754 million, West Africa, with around $270 million, and East Africa, with a potential of $94 million. Tunisia's further integration into this continental market could open up new opportunities for Tunisian exporters, particularly in the textile, agro-food, chemical and construction materials sectors, which are already areas of expertise for the country. By creating a single market of 1.3 billion consumers and a combined GDP of $3,400 billion, the AfCFTA aims to increase intra-African trade by 53%. In addition, the initiative is expected to increase industrial output by $1,000 billion, reduce poverty for 50 million people and create up to 14 million additional jobs by 2030.
