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Babnet
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Babnet
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Babnet
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Babnet
Tunisian Swimmer Ahmed Jaouadi Earns Historic Gold Medal for Tunisia
Tunisian swimmer Ahmed Jaouadi has gifted Tunisia a historic gold medal after being crowned champion in the men's 800m freestyle event on Wednesday at the ongoing World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. World-Class Performance and Record Time Jaouadi finished the race with a time of 7:36.88, outperforming top global competitors. Germany's Sven Schwarz secured second place (7:39.96), while his compatriot Luca Martens claimed third (7:40.19). Ahmed Jaouadi had previously qualified for this final by leading his heat in yesterday's preliminaries, setting a new personal best of 7:41.58 – confirming his peak physical and mental readiness for the title race. A Rising Tunisian Star With this victory, the 20-year-old Tunisian swimmer continues his international ascent. He previously won gold in the 1500m at the 2024 World Championships (Short Course) in Budapest, along with bronze in the 800m at the same event. He also delivered commendable performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics, placing fourth in the 800m and sixth in the 1500m, establishing himself as one of swimming's brightest emerging talents. Next Challenge Ahead Jaouadi is set to compete in the 1500m freestyle at the same championships on August 2. The race is highly anticipated, with hopes pinned on him repeating – or even surpassing – this milestone achievement.
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 .
Babnet
05-04-2025
- Business
- Babnet
Tunisia: Chinese Company "Asia Potash" Announces Intent to Invest in Large-Scale Phosphate Mining Project in Kef, Tunisia with $800 Million Investment
Executives from Asia Potash International Investment, during an official visit to Tunisia, expressed their strong interest in investing in the mining sector, with a focus on exploiting phosphate deposits in the governorate of Kef and establishing a comprehensive industrial mining complex. During a meeting held last Thursday with Jalel Tabbib, Director General of the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA), the Chinese representatives revealed plans to initially extract one million tons of phosphate, with a goal to reach 8 million tons in the medium term, and an overall investment estimated at $800 million USD, according to a statement released Friday by FIPA. Asia Potash is a global leader in potassium mining and agricultural development, also involved in international bulk shipping of materials such as coal and iron ore, in addition to providing logistical services. The visiting Chinese delegation was led by Yu Baoli, Vice President of the Industrial Development Department, and Houming Faimen, Director of Mining Development Investment, who expressed the company's desire to establish a long-term partnership with Tunisia in the field of mining industries. For his part, Jalel Tabbib, Director General of FIPA, welcomed this investment initiative, stating that the choice of Tunisia by such a major industrial group reflects growing international investor confidence in the country's business environment. He also reaffirmed Tunisia's commitment to supporting foreign investors, especially in high value-added sectors like mining. During the meeting, Tabbib also presented a detailed overview of the foreign direct investment landscape in Tunisia, highlighting the presence of Chinese companies and the various advantages Tunisia offers, including tax incentives, flexible legislation, and a strategic location between Africa and Europe. If realized, this project would become one of the largest upcoming Chinese investments in Tunisia, expected to revitalize the local economy of Kef, generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, and boost national phosphate production, which has declined in recent years.
