A high profile reception took place on Friday June 21st , 2019 to celebrate AmCham Tunisia’s Anniversary.

AmCham Tunisia’s 30th Anniversary reception was hosted and held at the Laico Hotel Tunis in a glamorous atmosphere surrounded with Jazz music. The celebration brought together nearly 250 high-level guests and witnessed the presence of H. E. Mr. Donald Blome, the US Ambassador in Tunisia, many Tunisian Politicians, high government officials, foreign embassy representatives as well as AmCham Tunisia members and friends.

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Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of Mr.Naceur Hidoussi, AmCham Tunisia President, who warmly thanked AmCham Tunisia Members, friends, staff and sponsors for sharing these special moments and for their continuous support. Mr.Hidoussi said that “Over the past 30 years, working on a nonprofit activity basis, yet on a very professional level, AmCham Tunisia has organized successful events on ongoing economic, business, financial, educational and societal topics.”

AmCham Tunisia’s 30th Anniversary Celebration was sponsored by Group AL Badr, STB, IMI, Jansen & Jansen, Laico Hotel & Université Centrale.

As part of its Export Lab project funded by MEPI (Middle East Partnership Initiative, State Department) AmCham Tunisia organized an event on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, Laico Hotel Tunis dedicated to the launch of the online sales platform www. Souktunis.com whose main objective is the development of Tunisian exports in the agri-food, craft and digital sectors to the United States.

Present at this event were the 45 companies selected by the project as well as members of AmCham and representatives of different ministries and organizations.

AmCham Tunisia organized a conference on October 31st at Laico Hotel Tunis in presence of AmCham members & friends, under the theme “Cloud Computing”. The keynote speaker was Mr.Albert Sanders, Manager Global Public Policy Strategy for Google Cloud and former Associate Counsel to President Barack Obama at the White House.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Tunisia (AmCham Tunisia) organized in collaboration with Philip Morris International on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at Le Paris Hotel Berges du Lac a conference under the theme “fight against illegal trade”. During this event, the results of the Illicit Trade Environment Index were presented. The two experts Stefano Betti from Tracit and Chris Clague from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), presented the data on Tunisia and proposed recommendations to combat the phenomenon of illegal trade in Tunisia. Were present in this event AmCham Board members, members & friends.

Tracit commissioned EIU to produce the Global Illicit Trade Environment Index, which assesses the structural capacity of 84 countries to effectively protect themselves against illicit trade, highlighting strengths and weaknesses 25 political, legal, regulatory, economic, commercial, institutional and cultural indicators. The results are intended to help policymakers better understand the regulatory environment and economic circumstances that promote illicit trade, to identify areas that deserve greater attention and to formulate strategies to address the serious threats posed by unlawful trade, stress the two keynote speakers.

According to this index, Tunisia ranks 53rd, with a score of 56 points out of 100. The same report establishes that the informal economy in Tunisia represents 35.5% of the Tunisian GDP, with 1.1 million people who work there, 32% of the active population. 30% of the products consumed in Tunisia would come from this economy (fuel, tobacco, alcohol, etc.).

Differences in levels of government subsidies on both sides of the border, as well as different tax regimes, have been the main drivers of this informal trade. This results in a significant loss of public revenue for the state, in addition to unfair competition in the formal sector, as legitimate businesses are no longer able to compete with smugglers. These products can have a detrimental impact on the health of the consumer. In addition, all this discourages foreign investment coming to settle in the country. Worse still, and given its links to organized crime, illicit trade can create greater risks to national and regional security.

They believe that Tunisia must continue to make efforts to combat illegal trade until the origin of the phenomenon is targeted and the problem solved. They are aware that there are no miracle recipes that it is not easy to find the right solutions and especially to implement them, especially since the economic systems based on smuggling constitute for certain cross-border regions, the main source of employment.

Illicit trade is a scourge that plagues nations. Tunisia is no exception, and given the particular conditions it faces, it must multiply efforts especially with the risks it incurs.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Tunisia (AmCham Tunisia) in collaboration with Université Centrale Tunis has organized on September 20th,2018 a breakfast debate on ‘’ Being a leader in Changing times’’. The keynote speaker of the event was Mr. Gary A Bolles; Chair of Future of Work.

AmCham Tunisia General Secretary Ms, Lamia Fourati welcomed Mr Garry A Bolles, Mrs Houbed Ajmi CEO of Université Central and all AmCham Tunisia members and guest for attending this event.
Mr Bolles is an internationally-recognized expert on the future of work and the future of learning. His focus is on the strategies for helping individuals, organizations, communities, and countries to thrive in the transition to a digital work economy.

Bolles has served as a strategic consultant and visiting lecturer for clients such as Google, Intel, the New Zealand Government, and the United Nations. He has also co-founded a variety of conferences and strategic initiatives.

After thanking AmCham Tunisia and Université Centrale for the invitation and the initiative in organizing this event Mr Garry A Bolles gave a brief overview on his career to the audience and started his presentation on ‘’ leadership in a Time of Exponential Change’’ by giving many examples on how the technology impacts our daily life as individuals and how important is for a leader to understand and cope with this change because the whole world is shifting to a Digital Work Economy.

During the debate many of the participants raised the issue that generally the human being has fixed mindset rather than growth mindset Ms Fourati mentioned that especially for Tunisians it is a challenging to get them out of their comfort zone as they do have difficulties to adapt to changes.

Mr Garry A Bolles emphasizes that a successful leader needs to make his employees a part of the change and get them involved in the vision of this growth to become themselves problem solvers.

The same Idea was supported by Mrs Houbeb Ajmi as they implemented coaching sessions for the Université Centrale’ students to help them to find their personal skills to become problem solver and prepare them to be part of the changing transition.

Open discussion with General Manager of the Tunisian Customs and his officers on April 26th 2018.

AmCham board and members gathered around Mr. Zouaghi, the newly appointed Customs General Manager in the casual setting of the Villa Didon hotel last Wednesday to openly discuss issues that are of concern to the company managers.

Mr. Zouaghi announced that customs will jump the e-governance gap very shortly with a new website that should be promoted to attract visitors and better communicate with the taxpayers.

AmCham is fully committed to work with customs to facilitate business and investment environment to its members and will be collecting requests for the “couloir vert” commission that will review and grant the privilege on a case by case basis.

Launch of AmCham Junior Chapter with SMU

An AmCham Student Chapter MoU was signed with The South Mediterranean University (SMU) representing its two schools, the Mediterranean Business School MSB and the MedTech School of Engineering at their s CAMPUS located at Lake 2, on Wednesday April 25th. April 2018. This partnership, signed by the representatives of the two institutions, Mr. Naceur HIDOUSSI (President of AmCham) and Dr. Mahmoud TRIKI (Founder and President of SMU).

Launch of AmCham Junior Chapter with Université Centrale

The Student Junior Chapter signed by the representatives of the two institutions, Mr. Naceur HIDOUSSI (President of AmCham) and Ms.Houbab Ajmi CEO of Université Centrale, on april 27th at the Campus located at Lake 1. These two student Chapters aims to get the students ready to the business field and bring closer universities and companies in equally beneficial partnerships and activities.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Tunisia organized in Tunis on Tuesday, March 13th, a breakfast debate having the theme of “Startup Act”. This event is organized jointly with the mixed chambers of commerce members of the Council of Mixed Chambers of Tunisia (CCM) and was honored by the presence of H.E Anouar Maarouf, Minister of Technology and Digital Economy, representatives of foreign companies in Tunisia, public and private sector, as well as representatives of mixed chambers in Tunisia.

Foued Lakhoua, President of Tunisian French Chamber of Commerce and of CCM, opened the debate highlighting the importance of the project “Startup Act” for the promotion of the private sector.

Naceur Hidoussi, President of the AmCham Tunisia, thanked the guests for attending the debate of the new law “Startup Act” which will allow Tunisia to open up to the world. Mr. Hidoussi specified that this law consists of 4 chapters and 20 articles and aims to promote job
creation in the sector, the financing of start-ups, protection of intellectual property, administrative procedures, the fluidity of funding and fiscal advantages.

« Technology today has neither barriers nor limits » declared M. Naceur Hidoussi who mentioned essentially examples of companies like Ali Baba and Skype. These latter’s knew shy beginnings with very modest means and which thanks to their perseverance and determination, revolutionized technology all over the world.

The launch of the startup act was moderated by Mr. Mohamed Bridaa, AmCham Board Member and Manager of Microsoft Tunisia.

H.E, The Minister noted that the project will help Tunisia with both regional and international integration and will impact the change of economic vision. Me.Maya Boureghda, a member of the panel and flag bearer of the project, noted that the young Tunisian entrepreneurs feel blocked by laws and barricaded by a paralyzing system insisting on the necessity of this bill which will help them to work and to rely on their own. Measures that have existed for a good decade and are not implemented should be taken in order to draft this bill.

Me. Boughreda concluded her intervention quoting that the “Start up Act” is defined as the law of hope which measures will boost entrepreneurs and encourage them to undertake while taking advantage of security measures.

Bassem Bouguerra talked about his experience with many startups and exposed the case of polytechnic students who presented innovative end-of-studies projects, the majority of whom concluded contracts of employment in France and Germany. He emphasized that it is imperative to encourage them to stay in their country by facilitating their project.

Oussama Messaoud, manager of DATAVORA, presented his company and talked about his idea which consists on filling and exploiting information on the E-commerce market and present this data in a package format to the businessmen concerned.

He also noted that in his company they went personally look for customs abroad (USA), presented them their expertise and were forced to align at their same level of competence so that they can satisfy them.

Noomane El Fehri was among the guests present and intervened by welcoming this bill initiative through which the role of the state will become a role of catalyst and not a retarder.

Tunis, January 31st, 2018 – In close collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Center (CEPEX), The American Chamber of Commerce in Tunisia launched today the U.S project EXPORT LAB 2018- 2019 in the presence of the President of the AmCHam Mr. Naceur Hidoussi, the different official representatives of the organisms acting in aiding this program and the media.

The conference held today had for purpose to introduce the Export Lab Program, this program consists of helping 45 small and average Tunisian businesses to export their products and services to the United States of America.

This project will have duration of 18 months which will include the necessary training and certifications to allow partnership with American entities.

Mr. Samir Azzi, President and acting Executive Director of the CEPEX, began the debate by insisting that they have been working on this initiative for the past 3 years to put it in motion and access the American market as it is one of the most prominent and receptive international markets.
Also, Mrs. Ikhlas Haddar, a representative of the Tunisian Ministry of Commerce, points out that this program is part of the strategy of diversifying the commercial exportation to new destinations undertaken by the Tunisian Ministry of Commerce.

She reveals that we have long closely worked with the U.S administration to implement such program and enable commercial exchange between the two nations.

Furthermore, Mrs. Rim Ayari, Vice- President of the AmCham Tunisia has indicated that the eligibility criteria for selection are that the businesses must be recognized by the state but also the quality of the product being exported, a minimal experience required in dealing with international markets, a good economic situation and finally the capacity of production of the business in order to meet the demand of the American market.

She continued “we are developing an online platform to allow the businesses selected to display their products for eventual customers to place their orders and pay online”, this will facilitate the process of purchasing and shipping the merchandise.

In addition, the project will have a special consideration for women and youth.
The 45 businesses selected will have to operate solely on 3 main fields that are:
– The food industry
– IT and new technologies
– Craft activities

The interested businesses can still apply until February 10th, 2018 through the AmCham Tunisia official site online or office by filling an application form.

A committee after thorough study will select 15 businesses in each field.

The main objective of the Export LAB, is to create employment and increase the diversification of Tunisian exportation towards the American market.

Consequently, the program will operate on the totality of the Tunisian territory.
The AmCham Tunisia is devoted to enhancing various partnerships and exchanges with the U.S and is engaged to developing the Tunisian economy and the youth thereby, remaining loyal to its socio- economic visions.

As part of the activities of the Council of Mixed Chambers (CCM), the members of the various bilateral chambers were invited to attend, on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, a breakfast debate on the main provisions of the new Finance Act 2018. presence of the Minister of Finance, Ridha Chalghoum and his team within the Ministry of Finance.

The Minister emphasized in his speech the importance of the stability of the fiscal framework and legal regulation. As a result, he highlighted the support mechanisms provided by the 2018 Finance Law to promote SMEs, key businesses in the Tunisian economy, as well as the measures taken to boost regional development zones.
Ms Sihem Nemsia, General Director of Studies and Tax Legislation, presented the 2018 Finance Law in detail and also responded to the concerns expressed by all investors regarding the increase of various tax rates, in particular the rate of VAT and corporate taxes and the vagueness surrounding tax measures, modified every year. Mr. Maher Kharrat, Comptroller General at Customs, who answered critical questions about new customs procedures, considered harmful to attract foreign investment.

Mr. Foued Lakhoua, President of the Tuniso-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President of the CCM, stressed the importance of putting in place measures guaranteeing the stability of the fiscal framework and encouraging investment, thus enabling the revival of economic activity in Tunisia.

Mr. Ferdinand Terburg, Vice-President of the Tunisian-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, stressed the need for investors to have access to solid and reliable regulations so that Tunisians could impose attractive investment internationally.

Finally, closing the conference, the President of the AmCham Tunisia, Mr. Naceur Hidoussi, focused on the IT sector, sector of the future, which is likely to be sanctioned strongly by the increases of taxes relating to this branch.

The Council of Mixed Chambers consists of the Tuniso-French, Tuniso-German, Tuniso-Italian, Tuniso-British, Tuniso-Swiss, Tuniso-Belgo-Luxembourgeoise, TunisoAmerican, Tuniso-Japanese, Tuniso-Dutch, Tuniso-Spanish, Tuniso Chambers -Polish, TunisoScandinave, Tunisian-Canadian, Tunisian-Chinese and Tunisian-Swedish.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Tunisia (AmCham Tunisia) organized on December 6th, 2017, a lunch debate on “Consolidating US-Tunisian Economic Partnership”. The keynote speaker of the event was H. E. Mr. Omar Behi, Minister of Commerce with the presence of H. E. Daniel H. Rubinstein, U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia as our guest of honor.

AmCham Tunisia President, Mr. Naceur Hidoussi, warmly welcomed the Minister, the Ambassador as well as AmCham Tunisia members and guests.

In his speech, Amcham Tunisia President, highlighted the commitment and readiness of AmCham Tunisia to boost and strengthen partnerships and cooperations between Tunisia and The United States of America. Mr Hidoussi added further that AmCham Tunisia is actively participating in improving the investment environment in Tunisia. He revealed two major ongoing projects:

Project 1: The Export Lab: A program developed in partnership with MEPI. It will target 45 Companies from ICT, Handicraft and Agribusiness, and will provide the qualifying companies with training, technical assistance, as well as the necessary labelling and certification that are often required in order to export to the USA.

Project 2: California Chapter Extension. The Chapter is being led by the Tunisian Diaspora with the main objective of helping Tunisian companies do business in The United States, through providing commercial assistance, networking and several other services.

In his speech the Minister said that Tunisia is moving more towards an open competitive and integrated economy through the diversification of its partners and he also spoke about the benefits of GSP for Tunisian exporters and the technical and commercial partnerships proposed by the united states.

The event was an excellent opportunity for the participants to discuss, have their questions answered and their thoughts and ideas thoroughly considered. The outcome was a brainstorming of ideas and solutions to strengthen and maximize the economic partnership between both countries, as well as addressing issues such as the GSP.

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With AmCham: Fun! Networking! A Day of Golf!

On November 25th, 2017, AmCham Tunisia hosted again its Annual Golf Tournament. Players have been gathered to enjoy a day of relaxation and golf along with the lovely amenities that make being on the green a great day of fun.

Starting with an 8:00 AM registration, more than 80 participants teed off at 9:00 AM competing for Hole-In-One, Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive and Putting Green contests.

The award granting ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. Naceur Hidoussi, AmCham Tunisia President as well as AmCham Tunisia Board members and friends from golf amateurs.

The outing was followed by a trophy ceremony where winning golfers were granted the outstanding prizes offered by AmCham Tunisia Sponsors: Atlas Auto (HAVAL), ARGANIA ( PACO RABANNE), CEREALIS, Hexabyte, Coca Cola & Co-Art indeed, this prestigious event has not been a success without their generous support.

Finally, many thanks go to the Residence Golf Course represented by Mr. Nidhal Ben Guebila and his team for the perfect organization the GGA & FTG. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s tournament.