Latest news with #ExportPromotionCenter
African Manager
4 days ago
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia's exports to India are booming!
India can become an important economic partner for Tunisia, especially during this delicate phase the country is going through. India is a country that has managed to achieve rapid and remarkable economic development, particularly in the fields of industry, finance, and high technology. (…) Its development model is based on the value and quality of its human resources, scientific research, hard work, and perseverance. In light of these economic performances, the Export Promotion Center (CEPEX) revealed that untapped export opportunities to the Indian market amount to approximately 214 million US dollars, although trade between Tunisia and India reached around 800 million dollars, or about 2.4 billion dinars last year. These opportunities, according to a recent meeting between CEPEX CEO Mourad Ben Hassine and the Ambassador of India to Tunisia, Shri Ngulkham Jathom, require strengthening the partnership in high value-added sectors. The fields of cooperation between the two countries include the chemical and fertilizer industries, given the presence of phosphoric acid in Skhira, as well as the pharmaceutical industries, renewable energies, electrical and electronic industries, and agricultural products. Tunisian exports to India have improved significantly, with olive oil exports growing by 250% and dates by 56%, reflecting the growing momentum of Tunisian products on the Indian market, according to CEPEX. As for Tunisia's imports from India, they notably include cars and spare parts, valued at 356 million dinars (representing 18% of total imports). Pharmaceutical imports, in turn, have increased significantly, with a rise of 637%, in addition to imports of tea, frozen fish, agricultural tractors, textiles, and petrochemical products, reflecting the diversity and growing openness of the Tunisian market to Indian supply. India, Tunisia's 9th trade partner According to 2024 figures, India is Tunisia's 9th trading partner in terms of import volume and the 16th in terms of exports. According to CEPEX, there are promising prospects to further develop trade and broaden areas of partnership in several vital and strategic sectors. The Indian Ambassador to Tunisia reaffirmed her country's commitment to continuing the strengthening of economic cooperation with Tunisia. She emphasized the importance of activating cooperation between CEPEX and its Indian counterpart, by intensifying the exchange of visits and economic missions, and organizing bilateral business forums to strengthen sectoral partnerships. During the meeting held at the Exporter's House, both parties discussed the importance of activating previous agreements, particularly the memorandum of understanding signed between CEPEX and its Indian counterpart in 2017, which constitutes a legal framework for institutional cooperation. The two sides also discussed a proposal to organize a remote forum in the presence of relevant bodies to further discuss ways to strengthen economic cooperation in promising sectors, as part of current preparations to hold meetings of the Joint Commission aimed at overcoming customs and tax-related obstacles. It is worth noting that Tunisia imports various products from India, such as tea, mechanical products, pharmaceutical products, rice, tobacco, textile products, and cotton yarn, while phosphoric acid remains the main Tunisian product exported to India.
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Thai-US talks to clarify tariff rules
Thailand will have detailed discussions with the United States regarding their new tariff agreement this month, according to Chantawit Tantasith, a deputy commerce minister. 'The Office of the US Trade Representative informed Thailand that the US will resume detailed negotiations with us in late August to September, aiming to reach an agreement on the details of the reciprocal tariff text,' he said on Wednesday. Following these negotiations, the agreement will be presented to parliament for approval, said Mr Chantawit. He said the 19% tariff rate on Thai goods, which takes effect on Thursday, is positive as it helps Thai entrepreneurs to maintain their competitiveness. The rate, markedly lower than the 36% initially set by Washington, was announced after the Thai government agreed to eliminate import duties on more than 10,000 items imported from the US. Local content A major challenge still facing Thailand and its neighbours is agreeing on minimum local content levels, as Washington is taking a hard line on goods transshipped through other countries. In the case of Southeast Asia, that usually means products originating in China. The next step will be for Thai businesses to align with the principles of regional value content (RVC) and rules of origin to secure continued trade benefits. Mr Chantawit said further negotiations will delve into aspects such as market access, non-tariff barriers and product-specific tariff rates. Regarding the RVC negotiations, he said Thailand needs clearer communication from the US about its approach, as there is uncertainty about whether the US will allow bilateral discussions or if it plans to set RVC criteria unilaterally for Thailand. Washington might issue RVC criteria directly, but they could be tailored for specific countries or applied regionally, said Mr Chantawit. Once Thailand receives definitive information on the RVC, he said authorities can evaluate the benefits and drawbacks for Thai businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. Mr Chantawit said the International Institute for Trade and Development would oversee this matter, developing plans to gather feedback from both small and large businesses to assess the expected impact, necessary adaptations and support needed from the government. 'The outcomes of the negotiations must be balanced and ensure maximum benefits for Thailand,' he said. 'We have to consider the effects on all stakeholders before signing the agreement.' The ministry on Thursday will open a one-stop service centre at the Export Promotion Center on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok to help entrepreneurs in adapting to new regulations and to navigate global competition.
African Manager
29-07-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia-China trade volume rises by 8%
Trade between Tunisia and China reached approximately 9.2 billion dinars in 2024, an increase of 8% compared to 2023, according to the Export Promotion Center (CEPEX). However, the untapped export potential to China is estimated at 214 million dollars (approximately 613.5 million dinars), including 20 million dollars (about 57.3 million dinars) for olive oil, 15 million dollars (about 43 million dinars) for seafood products and 2.5 million dollars (about 7 million dinars) for dates. This highlights the opportunities to be seized in this market to reduce the trade deficit and promote balanced trade between the two countries, according to the same source. A high-level delegation from 'Wuhan Yangluo Port Services Group', a Chinese group specialized in the fields of international trade, logistics, finance, and investment, is currently visiting Tunisia, until July 29. This visit aims to explore partnership and investment opportunities in the Tunisian market, both in terms of importing Tunisian products and developing investment projects in promising sectors, said the executive director of the Chinese group, Xu Baowei. B2B meetings were organized by CEPEX between the members of the delegation and 25 Tunisian companies with strong export potential to China.
African Manager
25-06-2025
- 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
