Economic Forum on Tunisia

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: 

• 1^st worldwide exporter of dates
• 2^nd African producer of car components
• 2^nd exporter of organic productsin Africa
• 3^rd 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:

 update from 19 November 2018