U.S.-ARAB CHAMBER SUPPORTS TUNISIA
PARTNERSHIPS FORUM IN WASHINGTON, DC
First Event of its Kind Brings Together Government Officials and
Business Leaders to Promote Economic Growth in Tunisia
The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC) today helped to convene the first-ever Tunisia Partnerships Forum, a public-private initiative to encourage economic growth and job creation in the Republic of Tunisia. Organized by the U.S. Department of State, the day-long meeting focused on three areas of particular promise in Tunisia -- tourism, trade, and information & communications technologies (ICT).
David Hamod, President and CEO of the U.S.-Arab Chamber, characterized the gathering as an "important first step in promoting the new Tunisia as a trade and investment destination for U.S. companies." He went on to say that "bringing public sector and private sector leaders from both nations together under one roof helps to open doors and create synergies that will, over time, generate win-win opportunities that will benefit Tunisians and Americans alike."
The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce served as a supporting organization for the meeting, which attracted nearly 200 representatives from the government and business communities in the United States and the Republic of Tunisia. On the U.S. Government side, the event was inaugurated by the Hon. Michael Hammer, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, Hon. Jose Fernandez, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, & Business Affairs, and Hon. Elizabeth Littlefield, President & CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).
President Littlefield noted, "Tunisia can set an economic example for the region, and OPIC is ready to support this. OPIC has approximately $50 million to invest in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Tunisia. Tunisia is ripe for investment because of its economic prospects, its location, and its business-friendly environment."
The Government of Tunisia was represented by H.E. Mohamed Tekaya, Ambassador to the United States, and H.E. Noureddine Zekri, Director General of the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA). Ambassador Tekaya spoke about the importance of strengthening economic partnerships with Tunisia. He said, "Support from the United States was steadfast from day one. One way for Americans to help Tunisia is working with the Administration and supporting legislation like the Tunisian-American Enterprise Fund. We want to continue these types of partnerships so that Tunisia can succeed in its pursuit of Democracy and economic and social development. As the next chair of the G8, the U.S. will maintain support for Tunisia and mobilize the international community to support Tunisia."
Tunisia is widely credited for sparking the "Arab Spring" nearly one year ago, and last month, that nation held its first national democratic election in the country's history. According to Tunisia's electoral commission, over 54 percent of registered voters participated in the election, which was generally viewed by international observers as free and fair. The previously banned Ennahda Party won 89 of the 217 seats in Tunisia's new constituent assembly, and Ennahda is now working to establish a coalition government. The first meeting of the new constituent assembly is scheduled for November 22, and Tunisia's new constitution is expected to be completed next year.
Earlier this year, the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce hosted the first two private sector delegations from Tunisia after that nation's revolution. The first delegation was composed of civil society representatives, and the second delegation consisted of business leaders.
One of those delegates, Mr. Mondher Ben Ayed, participated in the Partnerships Forum as a panelist. He said, "There are many reasons why Americans should invest in Tunisia. The best antidote to terrorism is creating productive jobs for the Tunisian people. Tunisia must consolidate the successes of its democratic experience, and the best way to do so is with the help of American investment."
The Tunisian American Chamber of Commerce (TACC) has a long affiliation with the U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, and TACC was represented by its President, Ms. Amel Bouchamaoui Hammami. She noted, "We need to work on these types of events to increase awareness of investment opportunities in Tunisia. It is through partnerships with the State Department and with organizations like the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce that we can increase American interest in investing in Tunisia."
According to recent research conducted by NUSACC, U.S. merchandise exports to Tunisia are expected to reach almost $1 billion by the year 2013. This is about double what the United States exported to that North African nation in 2009. Last year, the top five exporting states to Tunisia, in descending order, included Texas, Virginia, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and California.
The United States and Tunisia signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in 2002. In 2010, U.S. exports to Tunisia grew to $571.2 million, an increase of 13.8 percent over the previous year. U.S. imports from Tunisia during the same period increased by 24.5 percent to $405.5 million.
This is the first-ever Partnerships Forum hosted by the Secretary of State's Global Partnership Initiative and is the first major investment conference for Tunisia following that nation's recent elections. In September 2011, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohammed Mouldi Kefi signed a new framework for bilateral cooperation, the U.S.-Tunisia Joint Political and Economic Partnership. Today's Forum initiates one of the main objectives of this framework: linking potential investors to the Tunisian diaspora.
The closing session at today's Forum included Hon. Gayle Smith, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director at the National Security Council, Hon. William Taylor, Special Coordinator for Middle East Transitions, and Special Representative for Global Partnerships, Kris M. Balderston. Mr. Balderston, summing up the optimistic spirit of today's Partnerships Forum, concluded, "We are excited about the Tunisian Partnerships Forum as a new model to convene governments, the private sector, and civil society to grow markets and create job opportunities at home and abroad. There is no better occasion for the first ever partnerships forum than now to celebrate the new opportunities in Tunisia following their recent democratic elections. We are excited about working with U.S. businesses and investors to encourage American investments based on Tunisian priorities."
David Hamod, President and CEO of the U.S.-Arab Chamber, characterized the gathering as an "important first step in promoting the new Tunisia as a trade and investment destination for U.S. companies." He went on to say that "bringing public sector and private sector leaders from both nations together under one roof helps to open doors and create synergies that will, over time, generate win-win opportunities that will benefit Tunisians and Americans alike."
The National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce served as a supporting organization for the meeting, which attracted nearly 200 representatives from the government and business communities in the United States and the Republic of Tunisia. On the U.S. Government side, the event was inaugurated by the Hon. Michael Hammer, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, Hon. Jose Fernandez, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, & Business Affairs, and Hon. Elizabeth Littlefield, President & CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).
President Littlefield noted, "Tunisia can set an economic example for the region, and OPIC is ready to support this. OPIC has approximately $50 million to invest in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Tunisia. Tunisia is ripe for investment because of its economic prospects, its location, and its business-friendly environment."
The Government of Tunisia was represented by H.E. Mohamed Tekaya, Ambassador to the United States, and H.E. Noureddine Zekri, Director General of the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA). Ambassador Tekaya spoke about the importance of strengthening economic partnerships with Tunisia. He said, "Support from the United States was steadfast from day one. One way for Americans to help Tunisia is working with the Administration and supporting legislation like the Tunisian-American Enterprise Fund. We want to continue these types of partnerships so that Tunisia can succeed in its pursuit of Democracy and economic and social development. As the next chair of the G8, the U.S. will maintain support for Tunisia and mobilize the international community to support Tunisia."
Tunisia is widely credited for sparking the "Arab Spring" nearly one year ago, and last month, that nation held its first national democratic election in the country's history. According to Tunisia's electoral commission, over 54 percent of registered voters participated in the election, which was generally viewed by international observers as free and fair. The previously banned Ennahda Party won 89 of the 217 seats in Tunisia's new constituent assembly, and Ennahda is now working to establish a coalition government. The first meeting of the new constituent assembly is scheduled for November 22, and Tunisia's new constitution is expected to be completed next year.
Earlier this year, the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce hosted the first two private sector delegations from Tunisia after that nation's revolution. The first delegation was composed of civil society representatives, and the second delegation consisted of business leaders.
One of those delegates, Mr. Mondher Ben Ayed, participated in the Partnerships Forum as a panelist. He said, "There are many reasons why Americans should invest in Tunisia. The best antidote to terrorism is creating productive jobs for the Tunisian people. Tunisia must consolidate the successes of its democratic experience, and the best way to do so is with the help of American investment."
The Tunisian American Chamber of Commerce (TACC) has a long affiliation with the U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, and TACC was represented by its President, Ms. Amel Bouchamaoui Hammami. She noted, "We need to work on these types of events to increase awareness of investment opportunities in Tunisia. It is through partnerships with the State Department and with organizations like the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce that we can increase American interest in investing in Tunisia."
According to recent research conducted by NUSACC, U.S. merchandise exports to Tunisia are expected to reach almost $1 billion by the year 2013. This is about double what the United States exported to that North African nation in 2009. Last year, the top five exporting states to Tunisia, in descending order, included Texas, Virginia, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and California.
The United States and Tunisia signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in 2002. In 2010, U.S. exports to Tunisia grew to $571.2 million, an increase of 13.8 percent over the previous year. U.S. imports from Tunisia during the same period increased by 24.5 percent to $405.5 million.
This is the first-ever Partnerships Forum hosted by the Secretary of State's Global Partnership Initiative and is the first major investment conference for Tunisia following that nation's recent elections. In September 2011, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohammed Mouldi Kefi signed a new framework for bilateral cooperation, the U.S.-Tunisia Joint Political and Economic Partnership. Today's Forum initiates one of the main objectives of this framework: linking potential investors to the Tunisian diaspora.
The closing session at today's Forum included Hon. Gayle Smith, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director at the National Security Council, Hon. William Taylor, Special Coordinator for Middle East Transitions, and Special Representative for Global Partnerships, Kris M. Balderston. Mr. Balderston, summing up the optimistic spirit of today's Partnerships Forum, concluded, "We are excited about the Tunisian Partnerships Forum as a new model to convene governments, the private sector, and civil society to grow markets and create job opportunities at home and abroad. There is no better occasion for the first ever partnerships forum than now to celebrate the new opportunities in Tunisia following their recent democratic elections. We are excited about working with U.S. businesses and investors to encourage American investments based on Tunisian priorities."
