U.S.-Tunisia Joint Economic Commission (JEC)
Statement by the Republic of Tunisia and the United States of America
At the third session of the U.S.-Tunisia Joint Economic Commission (JEC) held today, Friday the 7th of February, in Tunis, Tunisian Minister of Trade Omar Béhi and U.S. Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Joseph Semsar expressed their intent to pursue initiatives to boost bilateral trade and investment between Tunisia and the United States.
The two delegations discussed opportunities for increased commercial engagement in telecommunications and infrastructure, Tunisia’s efforts to serve as a hub for U.S. companies in Africa, reforms to the business climate that would help attract U.S. investment, and Tunisia’s macroeconomic outlook and external financing needs.
The JEC was also an opportunity to review the outcomes of the U.S. Embassy and American Chamber of Commerce of Tunisia’s highly successful February 6th conference in Tunis on Prosper Africa, a U.S. government initiative designed to increase trade and investment between U.S. and African companies.
Minister Béhi and Acting Under Secretary Semsar signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on commercial cooperation. The MOU is intended to serve as a cornerstone to enhance bilateral efforts to attract U.S. investment in four key sectors in Tunisia: information and communications technology; agribusiness; design, engineering, and construction; and renewable energy.
Additionally, USAID Assistant Administrator Mike Harvey delivered the first copy of the three-year agro-food roadmap proposed in a previous session of the JEC. This roadmap is expected to accelerate commercial opportunities for U.S. and Tunisian businesses with market intelligence and technical assistance for Tunisian exporters.
Tunisia and the United States intend to continue their strong and fruitful collaboration on economic and commercial issues.
