Algeria has undertaken to benefit Tunisian products imported into its market of exemption from the payment of customs duties, according to what was recently announced by the Center for Export Promotion (CEPEX).
The CEPEX said all Tunisian products exported to the neighboring country are eligible for this measure which is part of the agreement of the Great Arab Free Trade Area (French: GZALE), except those on the negative list common to all Arab countries identified by the agreement for many health, environmental, religious and security requirements.
In fact, Algeria has canceled, since January 1, 2022, the negative list relating to products imported from Arab countries that are not covered by the tax benefits granted under the Great Arab Free Trade Zone.
This measure is among the most important measures that will help strengthen the competitiveness of Tunisian products, and it is also an opportunity for Tunisia to further develop bilateral trade between the two countries, said Ziad Jaouadi, Vice President of the National Union Chamber of International Trade Companies.
Jaouadi also said, in a statement to African Manager Ar, that the value of exports from Tunisia to Algeria last year amounted to 593 million dinars, and it is expected to increase under this measure.
Specifically, he expects trade and commercial transactions between the two countries to grow by more than 30% during the current year.
A major opportunity
He also stressed that the exemption from customs duties applied to a wide range of Tunisian products exported to Algeria will be a major opportunity for Tunisia, urging using this measure to foster cooperation between the two countries and develop agreements between them to achieve economic integration.
Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Trade and Export Development, Dora Borji said in a previous statement Tunisia is bound by a bilateral agreement with Algeria and economic ties will be strengthened, noting that trade cooperation with Algeria is of extreme importance as an extension of the Tunisian market.
Tunisia and Algeria are members of the Great Arab Free Trade Area and the “Agreement for Facilitation and Development of Inter-Arab Trade”, whose executive program provides for the establishment of an Arab free trade area between the contracting parties, with the aim of reviving the path of Arab economic integration.
The agreement to facilitate and develop trade between Arab countries entered into force on January 1, 1998 and the agreement currently includes 18 Arab countries.
The executive program of the agreement aims at facilitating and developing trade among Arab countries and strengthening joint Arab economic action, leading to the establishment of a large Arab free trade area, in accordance with the conditions and needs of Arab countries and the provisions of the World Trade Organization.
