Good local distributors are crucial to introducing products into Tunisia. Their knowledge of the local market and local contacts can make the difference between success and failure. The Embassy's Commercial Section provides the full range of U.S. Department of Commerce services to assist U.S. firms.

For U.S. companies, the best business opportunities are in sectors that will benefit from U.S. technology: hydrocarbons, renewable energy, power generation, transportation, and ICT, or to a lesser extent, in the more labor-intensive offshore, export-oriented industries such as the manufacture of textiles and mechanical or electrical equipment. Due to recent passing of Tunisian legislation, there may also be opportunities for US franchises.

Trade specialists in the region continue to report many export opportunities for US businesses. To explore these opportunities, interested US business development executives should contact Mr. Sami Aouadhi, Economic/Commercial Specialist, Mrs. Isabel Rioja-Scott, Economic/Commercial Officer, at the US Embassy in Tunisia or Ms. Jane Kitson, Regional Commercial Counselor for Morocco and Tunisia, (based in Morocco).

NEWS: 

 Join the African Development Bank (AfDB) 1st Africa Public-Private Partnership Conference in Tunis, Tunisia, December 1-2, 2009. 

Join the 1^st Franchising Show in Tunisia – The Tunis Med Franchise Fair, December 10-12, 2009.

• In August 2009, the Tunisian Government adopted a new law to regulate domestic trade, which includes a new legislative framework for franchising – a concept that until now was only granted to businesses on a case-by-case basis.  We expect that this new law will allow franchises to set up shop like any other business serving the Tunisian market, though the implementation decree, which is expected by early 2010, will provide further clarifications.

• The Commercial Section believes this new law may be a signal from the Tunisian government that franchises will have a space in this economy.  Although some issues still need to be clarified, such as the details of royalty repatriation, the law is set to encourage investment, create additional jobs and boost knowledge transfer.  Many Tunisian business groups have already started looking for international franchisors and are confident the market exists for franchises to thrive.

• In conjunction with the adoption of the new franchising law, the Tunis Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), the business arm of the Ministry of Commerce, in partnership with the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME) has decided to organize the first Franchise show in Tunisia.  The show, called Tunis Med Franchise Fair, will be held in Tunis from December 10 to 12, 2009.

• The Tunis Med Franchise Fair will be a matchmaking show linking Tunisian entrepreneurs from all sectors with foreign franchisors.  It will feature parallel workshops to facilitate discussion on franchises and the business climate in Tunisia.  Click here to register.

Looking for more business opportunities in the Maghreb Region?

Visit our web sites for neighboring Algeria and Morocco, get experts advice and put our services to work for your company!