São Paulo – Brazil and Tunisia should sign a tourism cooperation agreement that will increase tourist flow between the two countries. The signing should take place late this year or in early 2010, according to the Tunisian ambassador to Brasília (the Brazilian capital), Seifeddine Cherif.
Cherif attended dinner this Thursday (5th) to celebrate the "Day of Change," which marks the start of the term in office of the current Tunisian president, Zeine Al Abidine Bin Ali, which took place on November 7th, 1987. During the ceremony, Tunisia was also introduced as a tourist destination to several Brazilian sector professionals.
The ambassador said that the agreement should also promote an exchange of experiences between the two countries in the field of tourism, particularly with regard to sales and the training of professionals. The partnership should also lead to cooperation between professionals who work to organize the tourism industry.
"Brazilians can get to know the exoticness of a country with mild weather and a culture dating back over 3,000 years," said Cherif.
Another issue touched on by the ambassador was the visa exemption between the two countries. In 2004, Brazil and Tunisia signed a mutual agreement exempting tourists and businesspersons from obtaining visas for entering, staying or transiting for up to 90 days, renewable as long as the stay does not exceed 180 days in one year.
Rubens Hannun, the honorary consul of Tunisia in the city of São Paulo, who also attended the event, asserted that tourism should be a priority for the two countries. He also mentioned the work of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, which has established a board of Tourism in order to promote the activity between Brazil and the Arab countries. "Relations between Brazil and Tunisia have been growing very strongly," he claimed.
Trade
The most exported products from Brazil to Tunisia are sugar, wheat, soy oil, and iron and steel sheets. In turn, the main items that Brazil imports from the Arab country are superphosphates, aluminium fluoride and other phosphoric acids.
Up until September 2009, Brazil exported to Tunisia the equivalent of US$ 98.4 million and imported the equivalent of US$ 80.9 million, generating a US$ 17 million surplus on the Brazilian side.
In an interview to ANBA, the ambassador stated that there is still space for the two countries to trade other products, and mentioned the example of olive oil. “We are one of the leading olive oil producing countries, and our product is of very high quality.”
Cherif also reported that Tunisian private group Cofat is interested in establishing a plant to manufacture electric wire for automobiles in the city of Curitiba, capital of the state of Paraná. "That was postponed last year because of the crisis, but should be resumed next year." He believes that initial investment should be US$ 1 million.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
