AmCham Tunisia announces the holding of its Ordinary General Assembly on October 27th, 10 am @ Concorde Hotel Les Berges du Lac The agenda is as follows: – Presentation and adoption of the AmCham activity report. – Presentation and adoption of the financial report. – Appointment of a new Auditor – Set the date of the Elective General Assembly Naceur Hidoussi President
GSP ANALYSIS TRADE ORGANIC POTENTIAL TUNISIA-USA
Presentation of GSP U.S. trade preference programs such as the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is the largest and oldest U.S. trade preference program. Established by the Trade Act of 1974, (this program aims to foster the integration of developing countries into the multilateral trading system and promote development through trade) GSP promotes economic development by eliminating duties on thousands of products when imported from one of 119 designated beneficiary countries and territories. US Tunisia trade key data Tunisia is currently the 99th largest goods trading partner with $931 million in total (two way) goods trade during 2019. Goods exports totaled $461 million Goods imports totaled $470 million The U.S. goods trade deficit with Tunisia was $9 million in 2019. According to the US Department of Commerce, U.S. exports of goods to Tunisia supported an estimated 3 thousand jobs in the USA in 2015 (latest data available). Top Export Category to the US •U.S. goods export from Tunisia totaled $470 million in 2019 up 44.2% from 2009 •The top export categories •electrical machinery ($102 million) •animal or vegetable fats and oils -olive oil ($97 million) •woven apparel ($58 million) •machinery ($49 million) •and edible fruit & nuts (date, fig) ($19 million) Top 25 of GSP underutilized codes results in loss of $28 millions USD for Tunisia exporters USTR data 2019 Actions Inform •About 20% of Tunisia companies eligible to a GSP privilege are not claiming or underutilizing GSP – mainly in the automotive – aeronautics Increase quotas •About 80% of Tunisia exports under GSP are food related items. The quotas are nearly fully utilized (95%) ADD HS codes There is a large untapped potential in the automotive (electronics – cables, etc.) (cf. ITC data –Trade DSM) •Members requested for new HS: fruits / automotive / Dates Paste / Packaged Dates / Tuna and Sardines in olive oil / Tires / Galvanized tubes and coils / Electrical sub-assembly Cards Equipped with an Electronic Integrated Circuit (Smart Cards) / Printed circuits board / plastic parts / Aluminum box / Articles / sanitary ware / Ceramics / Floor tiles Advocacy for GSP Discussion with USTR •Better understand how countries are evaluated and GSP reconducted •Addendum of HS codes that can promote new sectors (cf. success story of arts and crafts)- •also help Tunisia better integration since GSP represents only 32% of traded goods with US •Technical assistance – capacity building programs (cosmetics – drugs) Communication on GSP •Discussion with private sector to increase awareness •Modelization with international trade specialist to understand the impact of GSP on new sectors •Consultation with agri-food sector to better understand needs related to GSP (Quotas, renewal, etc.)
The AmCham Sfax Chapter is renewed!
In the presence of His Excellency Joey Hood, United States Ambassador to Tunisia, the handover and presentation of the new Members of the Executive Board of the AMCHAM Sfax Chapter (Tunisian American Chamber of Commerce) took place. This event was an opportunity for Members and Friends of the chamber to meet and discuss with Ambassador Joey Hood, who is visiting Sfax for the first time. Indeed Mr Amin Sellami succeeds Mr Nabil Triki at the head of the chamber. The New President Mr Amin Sellami presented the members of his executive office which is composed as follows: Mrs.Sana Keskes-Mr.Sami Triki-Mrs.Emna Ben Arab-Mr.Moez Regayeg-Mrs.Rym Makhloufi-Mr.Ahmed Masmoudi-Mrs.RandaTmar-Mr.Malek Triki-Mrs.Neila Borgi-Mr.Omar Chaari-Mr.Kamel Moalla & Mr.Anis Yaiche
Breakfast Debate on the Honor of H.E Joey Hood, United States Ambassador to Tunisia
Ambassador Joey Hood received a warm welcome on March 1st from AmCham Board Members & US Companies established in Tunisia. Ambassador Hood and AmCham members discussed avenues to strengthen U.S. investment in Tunisia, enhance the bilateral trade partnership, and bolster Tunisians’ economic opportunities.
US BUSINESS VISA PROGRAM
Through the launch of the U.S. Business Visa Program, AmCham Tunisia members will be able to request visa appointments for business travel to the United States. The U.S. Business Visa Program aims to further expand commercial ties between the United States and Tunisia by assisting AmCham members in developing deeper connections with their American business counterparts.
