The United States Ambassador to Tunisia, Joey R. Hood, stated that his country is the world’s leading importer of Tunisian handicrafts, and American tourists are the highest spenders in Tunisia.
During his appearance on the Express FM radio show on the morning of Tuesday, December 10, 2024, he explained that Tunisian exports to the USA reached $980 million in the first eleven months of the current year, with the potential to exceed a billion dollars.
Country Stability for Development
The American diplomat further noted that Tunisian exports to the United States are on a steady rise, with the trade balance moving from a surplus of $8.3 million to $570 million.
Regarding U.S. support for Tunisia, the guest of Wassim Ben Larbi mentioned that several changes have been made, reflecting the growth in relations between the two countries. Joey R. Hood added that these changes are implemented based on various needs and opportunities.
He pointed out that many Tunisian entrepreneurs have the capability to access the American market but stressed the necessity of providing them with assistance to obtain certain permissions or to comply with a set of standards.
The U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia emphasized that a thriving economy is not possible amidst instability. For terrorism control, both Tunisia and the U.S. have invested over a billion dollars in equipment and particularly in pilot training. “We have achieved the goal of stabilizing the country to succeed in its development,” he said.
Investments on the Rise!
On the subject of investments, the American diplomat mentioned Visteon, an American company in the automotive equipment sector with a subsidiary in Tunisia, planning to hire 400 Tunisian employees. He noted that this scenario is due to the quality of Tunisian labor and the promising revenue projections the country offers. He commented, “This company’s example demonstrates export-focused manufacturing.”
For companies considering investment in the Tunisian market, the situation is more complex. It’s crucial to revise the exchange code, digitize the economy, and modify several regulations.
Over 10% Increase in American Tourists
Additionally, the U.S. Ambassador discussed the role of the Tunisian-American Chamber, emphasizing its importance in addressing delays in issuing business visas. Following this action, the embassy took the matter seriously and established mechanisms to expedite procedures for requests from the Chamber.
Joey R. Hood also stated that in 2024, no fewer than 34,000 American tourists visited Tunisia, marking an increase of over 10% compared to 2023 and 44% compared to 2019. He explained that Tunisia has significant tourism potential and that Americans are the tourists who spend the most compared to other nationalities.
Security Matters
On security, the diplomat highlighted the importance of the partnership between Tunisia and the United States. He detailed an ongoing approach involving continuous new training and resources. He mentioned the delivery of C-130 cargo aircraft in 2024, as well as training (T-6) and surveillance (C-208) programs.
He also noted U.S. aid that enabled Tunisia to monitor two-thirds of its border with Libya.
Finally, Joey R. Hood suggested that Tunisia establish a C-130 aircraft maintenance center for the entire region, underlining the significance of this opportunity and the potential for Tunisia to create a training center for regional security and military forces.
