Latest news with #UTICA
Babnet
14-07-2025
- Business
- Babnet
Strengthening U.S.-Tunisian Economic Ties: High-Level Meeting Between UTICA and American Delegation Focuses on Investment, Trade, and Strategic Partnerships
Mr. Samir Majoul, President of the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade, and Handicrafts (UTICA), received on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the organization's headquarters in the capital, Mr. Joey Hood, Ambassador of the United States of America to Tunisia, and Mr. David Hamod, President of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC), in the presence of several members of UTICA's national executive board, senior officials of the Union, representatives of various economic sectors, and the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Tunisia. During the meeting, both parties reviewed the long-standing economic relations between Tunisia and the United States, stressing the importance of building an economic partnership that serves mutual interests and benefits both countries. Mr. Samir Majoul reaffirmed Tunisia's ongoing efforts on all fronts to become an ideal destination for both national and foreign investment, and its ambition to establish international partnerships and strategic projects in various key sectors. These include energy and particularly renewable energy, due to its potential to drive sustainable development, as well as promising sectors such as sustainable agriculture, agribusiness, information and communication technologies, the digital economy, higher education, scientific research, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, handicrafts, textiles, logistics, and mechanical and electrical industries. These sectors, he emphasized, have high export potential and the capacity to create jobs. He highlighted UTICA's commitment to strengthening U.S. investments and expanding trade cooperation with the United States toward Africa, the Arab world, and Europe. Mr. Majoul also underscored the high quality of Tunisian products such as olive oil and dates, as well as their unique health and environmental benefits. He stated that Tunisian olive oil, thanks to the diversity of its varieties and the richness of its soil and climate, is a high-quality natural product that contributes to carbon absorption, making it supportive of healthy diets and environmental sustainability. He warned that imposing customs duties on Tunisian exports to the U.S. market—such as olive oil, dates, textiles, and handicrafts—would negatively affect Tunisian exporters and American consumers alike, as these tariffs would drive up product prices. Mr. Majoul stressed the importance of developing U.S.-Tunisian partnerships based on trust and mutual interests, leveraging Tunisia's strategic location and its network of trade agreements. He noted that several promising sectors are ready to attract new investments and called for taking advantage of the complementarity between American expertise and Tunisian capabilities to develop joint projects, including those targeting third markets in Africa, Europe, and the Arab world. For his part, U.S. Ambassador Joey Hood affirmed the two countries share a common history that serves as a solid foundation for future relations. He emphasized the existence of numerous opportunities that require joint efforts, and acknowledged current challenges such as the trade deficit and customs duties imposed on Tunisian exports. He called for continued collaboration and the development of practical strategies to address these issues. Mr. David Hamod, President of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, highlighted that the U.S. market is not a single market but rather 50 diverse markets across 50 U.S. states, which necessitates greater marketing efforts to introduce American consumers to the variety of Tunisian products. He called for better exploitation of these trade opportunities. The meeting also reaffirmed the importance of American investment in Tunisia and the mutual desire to encourage U.S. investment in Tunisia, as well as enhance Tunisian investment opportunities in the U.S. market. UTICA representatives presented the diversity of Tunisia's industrial fabric, the competitiveness and excellence of its sectors, the efficiency of its human resources, and its openness to innovation and technology. They emphasized Tunisia's ability to integrate into global value chains and highlighted the evolution and expansion of Tunisian startups toward the U.S. market. They also discussed the possibility of moving toward targeted bilateral agreements that focus on specific sectors and opportunities. The meeting concluded with a review of efforts by the American Chamber of Commerce in Tunisia to find solutions to the potential impact of tariffs on Tunisian exports, in coordination with UTICA, several universities, and professional chambers, along with the idea of organizing cultural days to promote awareness of the historical bilateral relations between Tunisia and the United States.
Babnet
14-07-2025
- Business
- Babnet
Tunisia: Working Session Between UTICA and the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce
A working session was held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at the headquarters of the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), bringing together a delegation from UTICA led by Mr. Samir Majoul, President of the Union, and a delegation from the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce headed by its President Mr. David Hamod, with the participation of the U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia, Mr. Joey Hood. The U.S.-Arab Chamber's delegation included a distinguished group of representatives from leading companies operating in strategic sectors such as international trade and investment between the U.S. and the MENA region, advancements in financial technology and digital payment systems, cutting-edge innovations in drone technology, as well as support for sustainable agriculture and food security through grain storage technologies and improved agricultural value chains. The UTICA delegation included members of the national executive board, UTICA officials, and representatives from several sectors, including olive oil and date exports, robotics, aircraft parts manufacturing, automotive components, and financial technology, along with the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Tunisia. Mr. Samir Majoul emphasized the importance of this initiative, highlighting the growing American interest in Tunisia's economic environment. He stressed the need for joint efforts to establish partnerships based on complementarity, trust, and mutual benefit. He pointed out Tunisia's strategic location, making it an ideal regional hub due to its proximity to Europe, openness to the Arab world, and natural position as a gateway to Africa. He also cited Tunisia's trade agreements, including the partnership with the European Union, the Arab Free Trade Agreement, and its membership in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He expressed hope for launching a renewed dynamic of cooperation with the United States. Mr. Majoul further noted the readiness of several sectors to embrace new industrial and commercial partnerships, including fintech and electronic payment systems, aircraft and automotive components, sustainable agribusiness, and renewable agriculture, in addition to logistics and agricultural storage. He emphasized that the success of these partnerships depends on the complementarity of capabilities, combining U.S. expertise in innovation and capital with Tunisia's flexible, competitive capacities and its proximity to neighboring markets. He also highlighted promising avenues such as joint investments in third markets, including Africa, the Arab world, and Europe, where Tunisian companies have already built field experience. From his side, Mr. David Hamod, President of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, underlined the importance of this meeting in strengthening economic relations between Tunisia and the United States. He affirmed that the private sector plays a pivotal role in advancing bilateral trade and shaping concrete partnerships between economic stakeholders in both countries. Mr. Hamod pointed out that the Chamber's delegation included representatives from strategic sectors such as food sovereignty, financial security, and defense, reflecting the diversity of potential areas of cooperation. He reiterated his commitment to supporting efforts aimed at expanding bilateral collaboration. He also encouraged Tunisian actors to develop direct relationships with various U.S. states, noting that this would open up new prospects for balanced, mutually beneficial partnerships. In the same vein, U.S. Ambassador Joey Hood considered that direct relations with the fifty U.S. states represent a strategic lever, equating it to " gaining fifty economic ambassadors inside the United States." He added that strengthening these ties could practically help rebalance the U.S. trade deficit with Tunisia and address some trade issues, including customs tariffs imposed on Tunisian exports to the U.S. market. During the session, economic representatives from both sides gave in-depth presentations on their areas of activity, highlighting promising opportunities for strategic cooperation between Tunisia and the U.S. They also discussed structural challenges facing trade relations—particularly the negative impact of U.S. tariffs on Tunisian exports —and emphasized the need for effective mechanisms to overcome these obstacles, ensuring smoother trade and investment flows and enhanced economic integration. The session also highlighted Tunisia's unique geostrategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Arab world, along with its diversified industrial base and skilled human capital, as critical factors that enhance Tunisia's attractiveness for foreign investment. The discussions underscored the central role of the private sector in both countries as a true driver of economic growth and sustainable cooperation. Both parties called for the establishment of complementary, balanced partnerships that reflect shared aspirations and support economic diversification, innovation, and technology transfer across key sectors. The session reaffirmed the strategic importance of U.S. investment in Tunisia as a lever to foster growth, technology transfer, and skill development. Both sides expressed their mutual desire to intensify efforts to support the inflow of U.S. investments into Tunisia and broaden cooperation opportunities, enabling Tunisian companies to better access the U.S. market and benefit from its potential. They also confirmed their shared commitment to strengthening this partnership through a renewed vision based on equality and mutual respect, aiming to achieve sustainable, mutually beneficial outcomes across the economic spectrum. Finally, the meeting shed light on the evolution of Tunisia's economic landscape, the adaptability of its enterprises, and their openness to international markets. Many Tunisian companies are actively seeking entry into the U.S. market via .
African Manager
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- African Manager
More than 17,000 cars sold in Q1 2025
The number of cars sold on the Tunisian market during the first quarter of 2025, whether by authorized dealers or via the parallel market, amounted to 17,439 vehicles, compared with 15,343 vehicles during the same period in 2024. Authorized dealers sold 11,860 vehicles of various categories during the quarter, compared with 11,191 vehicles in the same period last year, an increase of 5.9%. According to the Chambre nationale syndicale des concessionnaires et constructeurs automobiles, part of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), 5,579 cars were sold on the parallel market, compared with 4,152 cars between March 2025 and March 2024, an increase of 34%. The parallel market, according to the same source, refers to the sale of cars by certain private companies established in different regions of the country, which invest in the purchase and resale of vehicles to the public. In terms of popular cars, 1,632 units were sold compared to 1,453 in the same period last year, with an average of 570 cars sold in March 2025 compared to 526 in March 2024. Six commercial brands offered these popular vehicles with a maximum price of 34,805 dinars and a minimum price of 28,925 dinars. Commercial vehicles: 10% increase A total of 3,637 commercial vehicles were sold in the first quarter of this year, compared to 3,296 in the same period last year, an increase of over 10%. As for passenger cars, 8,223 units were sold compared to 7,895, an increase of about 4.1%. More than 46,000 new cars sold in Tunisia by 2024 It is worth noting that the new car market in Tunisia recorded total sales of 46,436 units between January and October 2024, compared with 46,055 vehicles sold during the same period in 2023, representing a slight increase of 0.8%, despite structural constraints, notably the quota system imposed by the Ministry of Trade. According to African Manager's statistics, the South Korean brand Hyundai dominates the sales ranking with 5617 units sold. It is followed by KIA with 4611 units and Peugeot in third place with 3402 units. Suzuki (2929 units), Isuzu (2800) and Toyota (2504) complete the top six best-selling brands. Each year, the local market absorbs between 50,000 and 60,000 new cars, but the number of purchase requests far exceeds this threshold, with 150,000 to 200,000 requests per year, according to Brahim Debbache, president of the Chambre syndicale des concessionnaires automobiles. This discrepancy is explained by the quota system, which limits the number of imported vehicles. Dealers are calling for a return to a more flexible quota system, similar to the one in place before 2023, to make the market more fluid and reduce waiting times for consumers.
African Manager
22-04-2025
- Business
- African Manager
How effective is trade defense for national industries?
At a workshop on 'Trade Defense Instruments' held Monday, April 21, at UTICA, Minister of Trade and Export Development Samir Abid emphasized the importance of equipping national industries with mechanisms to protect against unfair trade practices. The event marked the start of a nationwide campaign, with similar workshops scheduled for Bizerte (May 16, 2025), Gabes and Sfax (June 2025). Minister Abid stated that trade defense tools—permitted under World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements—allow member states to shield domestic industries from harmful import competition without violating international obligations. He pointed out that trade defense is in charge of investigating, researching and verifying all information obtained from importers, traders, producers, foreign exporters, associations and interested organizations, in accordance with law n° 98-106 of December 18, 1998 relating to import safeguard measures. Anti-dumping tool and unfair competition In accordance with Law No. 99-9 of 13 February 1999 on the defense against unfair import practices, this body also carries out investigations to determine the existence of alleged dumping or subsidization and to forecast its extent and impact. The tasks of the trade defense body, its composition and operating procedures are laid down by decree. On another subject, the Minister pointed out that 'Tunisia's experience in the field of trade defense is limited to the opening of a few investigations in the field of preventive measures, which led to the adoption of a single preventive measure in 2023, while no investigation has been opened in the field of anti-dumping or subsidies'. He added: 'The company benefiting from this measure was able to achieve an improvement in its results in 2024, and this will be specified in more detail at a later stage. According to Abid, there are several reasons for this limited experience, the most important of which are: – Tunisia's limited investigative authority in its current form, which is not in tune with the specific nature of work in the field of trade defense investigations. – The limited human and logistical resources allocated to the investigating body (5 executives in Tunisia versus 370 in Egypt / 34 in Morocco / 28 in Jordan / over 100 in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries). – Economic operators' unfamiliarity with this mechanism (…). For her part, Dorra Borgi, Director General of Foreign Trade, pointed out that Tunisia was the first Arab country to join the trade defense body. She pointed out that the mission of this new body is to investigate, research and verify all information obtained from importers, traders, producers, foreign exporters, associations and interested organizations.
African Manager
14-03-2025
- Business
- African Manager
UTICA/CBF: It is imperative to develop electronic payment system
The urgent need to develop and democratize the electronic payment system was the focus of a recent working session between Samir Majoul, President of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), and Néji Ghandri, President of the Banking and Financial Council (CBF). During the meeting held at the UTICA headquarters, attended by members of the executive bureau of the employers' organization and representatives of the CBF, emphasis was placed on the necessity of offering citizens affordable banking cards that provide ease of payment. Discussing the 'TuniChèque' platform, participants deemed it essential to resolve issues hindering the platform's smooth operation and to organize informational sessions on its use. In this context, the presidents of UTICA and CBF highlighted the importance of the success of this new platform, calling for a reduction in cash usage, which only fuels the informal economy. On another note, the two parties discussed ways to restructure companies classified by banks, in light of the results of the legal revaluation of their real estate and movable assets. This aims to facilitate their access to financing and enable them to fully play their economic and social roles. Additionally, they stressed the imperative of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in overcoming obstacles to their sustainability, bolstering the export sector, diversifying national revenue sources, and improving the trade balance as well as the balance of payments.
