Free trade agreements with European Union

The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement of association with the European Union and its Member States that came into effect March 1st 1998 engaged Tunisia in a process of progressive tariff dismantling.

From January 1st 2008, Tunisia was the first country of the southern Mediterranean shore to join the Free Trade Area of the European Union.

Tunisian exports to the European Union market have undergone a remarkable evolution. Their part in the export total increased from 51% in 1976 to 73.8% in 2009. Nearly 80% of exports to the European Union are industrial products. Through the dynamic quality of its ready-to-wear clothing sector, Tunisia is the fourth exporter of clothing to the EU.

Maghrebian and Arab markets

Since 1998, Tunisia has taken major steps to implement a regional agreement for the creation of an Arab free trade zone within ten years.

Tunisia has signed a number of preferential agreements with Maghreb and Arab countries. Application of the regional agreement signed in 1998 to introduce an Arab free-trade zone has made good progress and the final phase will be completed in 2005. Trade with Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and Libya is governed by bilateral agreements that set up a free-trade zone. Other free-trade agreements are being negotiated with other countries in the region.

Opening on other markets

Tunisia benefits from preferential rates within the framework of generalized preference system (GPS), to introduce manufactured goods and handicraft industry on the markets of the United States, Canada, Switzerland and Australia.

This system encourages also access to certain African markets (Guinea, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, etc).