Tunisia has made significant progress in utilizing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, completing over 400 trade operations, including exports and imports, since the agreement came into effect over two years ago. This was announced by Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid, on Tuesday in Tunis.
Abid highlighted that Tunisia issued its first certificate of origin under the agreement in May 2023, after fulfilling the required conditions and procedures. He emphasized the country's commitment to expanding the use of the agreement's mechanisms and converting them into greater trade and economic movement.
The Minister stressed the crucial role of the private sector as the primary beneficiary of the agreement and a key partner in its construction and implementation. He noted that Tunisia aims to use the agreement's mechanisms with several member states that have not yet entered into force, in an effort to encourage them to engage in the system and accelerate its implementation.
Abid emphasized that the collective responsibility is to expand the use of these mechanisms and convert them into greater trade and economic movement. He added that the success of this process depends on the private sector's ability to seize the opportunities provided by the continental area and convert them into real projects, exchanges, and partnerships.
The Minister highlighted that Tunisia is committed to involving private sector representatives in the work of the National Committee to follow up on negotiations and implement the continental agreement. He also mentioned that the country is working to listen regularly to institutions that have started exporting or importing under the agreement, to identify the difficulties they face and propose solutions to improve access to African markets.
A program to support small and medium-sized enterprises, the regional batch for North Africa, was launched to familiarize participants with the requirements of the AfCFTA agreement and the opportunities it offers. The program brings together representatives of the private sector and small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as export support structures from Tunisia and several friendly countries in the North African region.
Abid concluded that Tunisia's relations with Africa represent a "constant strategic choice" in its economic and trade policy. He emphasized that the country aims to make Tunisia a platform for economic and trade communication between African institutions and contribute to building a more connected and dynamic African market.
Key points
- Tunisia has completed over 400 trade operations under the AfCFTA agreement.
- The country issued its first certificate of origin under the agreement in May 2023.
- Tunisia aims to expand the use of the agreement's mechanisms and convert them into greater trade and economic movement.
