São Paulo – Tunisia’s industry expanded its exports by 12.4% from January to May in comparison to the same period of last year, according to data made public by news outlet Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) this Wednesday (21), citing as source the country’s Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (API). Foreign sales reached TND 12,009 billion (USD 4.84 billion) in the first five months of the year.
In the same period, the Tunisian industrial sector imported TND 16.03 billion (USD 6.47 billion), up 16.3%. The sector’s deficit on the trade balance rose to TND 3.1 billion (USD 1.3 billion) in the first five months of 2016 to TND 4.02 billion (USD 1.63 billion) from January to May of this year.
API underscored the increase in foreign sales by the mechanical and eletrical sectors, with shipments climbing 20.3% year-to-date, reaching TND 6.2 billion (USD 2.5 billion) – over half of the African country’s industry exports.
The food industry expanded its exports in 5.5% in the period, reaching TND 900 million (USD 363 million). The textile sector resumed its normal pace and rose 11%, while foreign sales of leather and footwear jumped from TND 469 million (USD 189.2 million) to TND 507.3 million (USD 204.7 million).
On the other hand, shipments from the construction industry material dropped 16.9% and those from the chemical industry tumbled 12.3%, according to the Tunisian agency.
With imports, API pointed out the increase of 63.2% in purchases of processed food and of 7.7% in leather and footwear.
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani