2023-06-27 07:42:20
In the presence of the Minister of Economy and Planning, the Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia and the Chargé d’Affaires at the German Embassy in Tunisia, the meeting was immediately placed under the sign of a debate with member companies on “the realities and prospects of Tunisian-German relations, opportunities and risks, visions and achievements”.
The Tunisian-German Chamber for Commerce and Industry (AHK) recently held its 44th ordinary elective general assembly. At the end of his work, Ghazi El Biche, CAO of van Laack Tunisia, was elected president for a period of two years, succeeding Ibrahim Debache (Ennakl). The program announced by the new president of this organization does not lack ambition and suggests innovative and promising perspectives in the programs for the promotion of economic relations between Tunisia and Germany.
Mixed optimism….
In the presence of the Minister of Economy and Planning, the Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia and the Chargé d’Affaires at the German Embassy in Tunisia, the meeting was immediately placed under the sign of a debate with member companies on “the realities and prospects of Tunisian-German relations, opportunities and risks, visions and achievements”.
Jörn Bousselmi, Managing Director of AHK Tunisia, undertook to inform delegates of the results of the annual survey conducted in early April 2023 by AHK and relating to the situation and prospects of its member companies in the light of the vagaries of new economic conjunctures that affect the world economy in general and Tunisia in particular.
More than 150 member companies took part in this survey, the results of which revealed that, after the gloom that accompanied the Covid-19 pandemic, a large majority (+90%) show their satisfaction with the current situation and are optimistic about to development prospects.
More than 75% of companies foresee stability (39%) or an increase (38%) in their investments.
… diffuse concerns
However, the leaders surveyed did not fail to draw attention to the many difficulties and crises with which they are confronted on a daily basis and which contribute to complicate a situation characterized by its precariousness.
Thus, at the national level, the vast majority of both Tunisian and German companies have confirmed encountering difficulties with Tunisian institutions, particularly with the administration and customs. On the other hand, the uncertainties surrounding the elusive and often nebulous economic policy are not such as to appease the serious and legitimate concerns of economic operators who see in it an obvious risk for their survival.
The latter do not hesitate, moreover, to point the finger at a galloping and uncontrolled inflation which will not fail to influence the already depressed course of the Tunisian dinar from which they foresee and fear a new fall.
On the international level, it is the war in Ukraine which negatively impacts their performance due to the increase in the cost of energy, that of raw materials and the disruption which affects the supply chain.
Tunisia must assert its strengths
However, the survey highlights the many assets that Tunisia can take advantage of and from which it could derive the best profits for the revival of its economy. More than 70% of the companies surveyed believe that there are many important opportunities available to Tunisia and that it should not miss them: its geographical proximity to Europe, its workforce today highly qualified and available, as well as proven service quality and production at competitive prices.
Some procedures need to be adapted
Despite the very relative optimism displayed by German companies established in Tunisia, it is clear that the recurring crises make the future uncertain and accentuate the seriousness of the obstacles hanging over German companies present in Tunisia.
However, we continue to perpetuate trust and faith in the exemplarity and resilience of the partnership between Tunisia and Germany. The latter reiterates its provisions to support Tunisia and its economy and to highlight all the opportunities available to it for the revival and regeneration of its economy.
A close-knit and actively involved team
At the end of the general assembly, the delegates elected by an overwhelming majority Ghazi El Biche, general manager of van Laack Tunisia, a textile company established in Bizerte for half a century. El Biche succeeds Ibrahim Debache (Ennakl). He surrounded himself, for his two-year mandate, with a group of responsible, confident and competent leaders animated by the strong desire to work for the achievement of the objectives assigned to the AHK, to invest in the creation appropriate conditions for attracting German investors to Tunisia and to undertake to urge officials to revise administrative procedures, the customs code, foreign exchange regulations and taxation.
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