From the Newsroom*
São Paulo – Exports from Tunisia, an Arab country in the North of Africa, grew 12% between January and November this year, as was informed by African news agency Panapress. The Tunisians had revenues of US$ 10 billion with foreign sales in the first eleven months of this year.
Tunisia also imported more in the period. Foreign purchases by the African nation grew 8.5% between January and November when compared to the same months in 2004. The Tunisians spent US$ 12.9 billion on imports.
Although trade is growing, the percentages this year are a little under those registered last year. In 2004, country imports grew 16.6% when compared to 2003, and exports rose 13%. This year, the Tunisian Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is around US$ 28 billion, should grow 5%.
Tunisia exports products like phosphates, olive oil, dates and textiles. The European Union (EU), especially France, Italy and Germany, answers to over 80% of Tunisian foreign sales. The Arab country is the second largest phosphate exporter in the world, and the second largest supplier of olives to the EU.
With Brazil
Brazil is also a Tunisian trade partner. Bilateral trade between both countries reached US$ 158 million between January and November this year. Brazil had revenues of US$ 101.6 million with sales to the Tunisians in the period and imported US$ 56.4 million from the Arab country.
There has, however, been a reduction on both sides. In the same months in 2004, Brazilian exports to Tunisia were at US$ 102.4 million and Brazilian imports from the Arab country, US$ 71.2 million.
In the list of main products bought by Brazil from Tunisia are super phosphates, aluminium fluorides, calcium phosphates, dates, garments and olive oil. Tunisia, in turn, imports sugar, soy oil, coffee, iron laminates and tractors, among other products, from Brazil.
Tunisia
Tunisia has a population of 9.9 million inhabitants and per capita income of US$ 2,800. Due to its proximity with Europe, the country is basically visited by Europeans, who usually go on shopping trips and tourist trips to Tunisia, which is famous for its beautiful beaches. The Arab nation exports very much to the European Union due to an agreement for zero foreign trade tariffs.
There are in Tunisia 2,400 European and mixed capital (Tunisian and European) companies. They look for cheap labour in the Arab country. The products made are normally exported to Europe itself. Tunisia also does trade with Libya and Algeria.
*Translated by Mark Ament
