Latest news with #UTICA
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.
