Economic Forum on Tunisia
Tuesday, 20. November 2018
13:00 - 18:00
The Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC),
in cooperation with the
Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia in Austria
Cordially invite to an
Economic Forum on TUNISIA & B2B
Tuesday, 20 November 2018 | 13:00 – 17:00 hrs
SO/ Vienna (former “Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom”)
Praterstrasse 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria
Introduction:
Being among the most competitive economies in Africa and the Arab world, the Tunisian economy offers businesses an environment of higher quality thanks to the education level of its active population, the sound macroeconomic management and the quality of its public institutions that are particularly favorable to business competitiveness.
In terms of Global Competitiveness, Tunisia is ranked 1st in North Africa regarding:
- Talent Competitiveness| "Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2017, INSEAD"
- Entrepreneurship Ecosystem| "Global Entrepreneurship Index 2017, GEDI"
- Innovation| "Bloomberg Innovation Index 2017, Bloomberg"
- Competitive Industrial Performance| "Competitive Industrial Performance Index 2016, UNIDO"
- ICT Development| "Measuring the Information Society Report, 2016"
- Transition to E-commerce| "B2C E-commerce Index 2016, UNCTAD"
Tunisia also exports various goods, services, agricultural and food products and had a positive trade volume with Austria during the last years.
Tunisia ranks:
- 1st worldwide exporter of dates
- 2nd African producer of car components
- 2nd exporter of organic productsin Africa
- 3rd worldwide producer of olive oilfor the 2015-2016 harvest season
Trade openness has increased sharply over the past two decades in Tunisia. The gradual easing of tariff and non-tariff barriers, the signing of free trade agreements and the creation of an attractive regime for fully exporting companies - known as the offshore regime - have played an important role. Tunisia joined the World Trade Organization in 1995. In 1996, the North African country signed an association agreement with the European Union aimed at the gradual dismantling of tariff and non-tariff barriers and obtained the status of privileged partner in 2012. Tunisia’s negotiations on the Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (ALECA) are also underway. Tunisia has a free trade agreement with Turkey, that was signed in 2004 and fully implemented in 2014. Its tariff regime was further simplified, with a reduction in the number of tariff bands from 54 in 2003 to 3 in 2017. In the end, the share of Tunisia’s exports and imports in GDP approached the OECD average in 2016, to be higher than many emerging countries.
Tunisia's openness and integration into global value chains has improved significantly since the mid-1990s, reflecting the country's comparative advantages. Exports have surged, led by the manufacturing sector, with a shift towards more technology- and skills-intensive goods. The high level of education among its young generation is an additional strength and led to an advanced ICT industry. The upscaling and diversification of exports should enable the Tunisian economy to grow fast. Tunisia has as well a modern industry producing electrical appliances and equipment, textile, leather and many more.
This forum aims to introduce the Tunisian economy, different industrial sectors and the new investment law to shed a light on the possibilities and opportunities for partnerships and cooperation with Austrian companies and businesses.
Target Group:
Austrian and Tunisian institutions, companies and businessmen interested in import/export, mutual cooperation, investment opportunities and partnerships.
Structure:
Forum – B2B – Exhibition of Tunisian companies and food products
Language:
English
Registration & Contact:
Participation is free of charge, registration required!
Kindly register your participation by submitting the registration form by e-mail to headoffice@aacc.at / Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (Tel 01 513 39 65).
This event is kindly supported by SO/ Vienna (https://so-vienna.com/)
Preliminary Program:
13:00
|
Arrival and Registration
|
13:30 – 13:50
|
Opening/WELCOME Kommerzialrat Nabil R. Kuzbari Arab President & Founder of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Mezghani Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to Austria
|
13:50 - 15:00
|
H.E. Mr. Hatem Ferjani State Secretary, Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in charge of Economic Diplomacy
Mag. Nella Hengstler
Mrs. Safa Jennene Laabidi Director CEPEX Rotterdam
Mag. Christian Rebernig Director of the Austrian Federal Association of Commercial Agents
Mr. Jalel Tabib Manager of the Cologne office The Foreign Investment Promotion Agency «FIPA-Tunisia».
Mag. Christian Rebernig Director of the Austrian Federal Association of Commercial Agents The role of commercial agents in trade and economy
Five to ten minutes debate and questions.
|
15:00 – 15:15 |
Coffee break |
15:15 – 16:00
|
Session 2 Best practice samples by Austrian and Tunisian companies Dr. Martin Treml Director Africa, VAMED Engineering GmbH Mr. Mouldi Khannoussi CEO, REALMIX Beverage GmbH Five to ten minutes debate and questions. |
16:00 - 17:00 |
B2B meetings & Networking at exhibition area |
update from 19 November 2018