Tunisia is Europe’s biggest exporter south of the Mediterranean
TUNISIAONLINENEWS- Throughout the period 1987-2009, the Tunisian economy has relied on the capacity of its enterprises in production, exports, investment and job creation, in order to meet future challenges.
This strategy has enabled the boosting of industrial competitiveness and to win major international markets, especially with the signing of a partnership free trade agreement with the European Union .
Tunisia is now the chief exporter on the southern shore of the Mediterranean to the EU; Tunisia has achieved a remarkable leap, boosting industrial exports from 1.3 billion dinars in 1987 to 18.7 billion dinars in 2008.
By sector, export of engineering products reached 6.2 billion dinars in 2009. Food exports reached 1.85 billion in 2008 against 0.2 billion dinars in 1987.
As concerns pharmaceutical industries, the figures provided by the Ministry of Industry show that production of this sector increased from 8 million dinars (MD) in 1990 to 363MD in 2008 creating 5,000 jobs. The coverage of national needs for medicines has also increased from 7.5% to 47% during the same period.
In terms of Investment, the industry sector brought 1.4 billion dinars of investments in 2009 , while in 1987 the sector has recorded only 0.28 billion dinars of investment.
Foreign direct investments have also significantly increased from 15 million dinars to 642 million dinars.
Considered as a vital component for the sector and because of its strong contribution to the GDP and the country’s economic growth, the Tunisian textile and clothing industry sector continues to lead the way towards greater quality and competition.
Tunisian exports of textiles, clothing and leather industries have increased from 0.6 billion dinars in 1987 to 5.2 billion dinars in 2008. Statistics from the Technical Textile Center (CETTEX) of November 2009, indicate that parts of the exports have slightly declined except for the subsidiary “Son and Yarn” which registered an increase of about 14.8%.
Regional economic development has been one of the national objectives throughout the years proved by the growing number of industrial enterprises located in regional development areas which have increased from 121 to 1133 companies between 1987 and 2009. Therefore, job positions have risen to 73 thousand jobs in 2009 against only 12 thousand jobs in 1987.
Tunisia is also a leader when it comes to attracting small and medium enterprises, south of the Mediterranean.
The number of industrial enterprises set up as a result of partnership, has risen from 402 to 2324 companies in the past two decades, including the establishment of 1,300 certified companies in 2009 against only 10 companies in 1987. The number of laboratories has also risen from 15 not accredited laboratories to 76 laboratories, 45 of which are accredited.
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