Tunisia Africa Business Meetings: Boosting Tunisian Exports to Cameroon
During the third edition of the Tunisia Africa Business Meetings held on July 2-3, the fifth morning session of Export 2024, organized by the Tunisian Export Promotion Center (CEPEX), took place on the second day. This event was dedicated to developing Tunisian exports.
CEPEX CEO, Mourad Ben Hassine, strongly encouraged Tunisian businesses to explore the Cameroonian market further and seize new opportunities. He highlighted that Cameroon's economic dynamism, combined with efforts to modernize commercial procedures, offers a fertile ground for the prosperity of bilateral economic relations.
The digitalization of certificates of origin and e-commerce initiatives were showcased as essential tools to facilitate and secure commercial transactions. These technological advancements not only reduce delays and costs but also improve transparency and traceability of exchanges.
A crucial point was emphasized: the importance of strategic partnerships between Tunisian and Cameroonian businesses. "Collaborations in areas such as health-related services, engineering, architecture, and mechanical and electronic equipment are particularly promising," said the CEPEX CEO. These sectors offer opportunities for mutual growth and industrial capacity building.
Recalling the successes of the previous edition in December, where over 2,300 meetings were organized, the CEO stressed the importance of these events in establishing solid and lasting contacts. The progress towards over 4,800 planned meetings this year demonstrates the growing enthusiasm and commitment of Tunisian businesses to integrate into the African market.
Lazhar Bennour, Director-General of Economic and Commercial Cooperation at the Ministry of Trade and Export Development, spoke at the event to address Tunisia's upcoming major projects concerning its economic and commercial relations with international partners. He emphasized the importance of strengthening and modernizing these relations to adapt to current evolutions.
Bennour began by recalling the historical significance of the relationship between Tunisia and the European Union. He mentioned a recent meeting with a European delegation, highlighting that discussions aimed to modernize the 1995 trade agreement. This agreement, which initially concerned around one million people, is expected to be updated to cover a population of 1.3 billion.
Bennour's central message is clear: Tunisia no longer negotiates alone with its partners but does so as a member of the entire African continent. In 1995, Tunisia negotiated independently. Today, it is part of a continental bloc, which strengthens its position in international negotiations.
Finally, Bennour stressed the need to modernize trade agreements to better reflect current economic realities. He expressed confidence that these new agreements will benefit Tunisia by strengthening its commercial relations and opening up new opportunities in the international market.