Tunisian-Algerian Economic Cooperation: A Call for a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement
The President of the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade, and Handicrafts (UTICA), Samir Majoul, called on Thursday for the conclusion of a comprehensive free trade agreement between Tunisia and Algeria, eliminating customs and non-customs barriers and facilitating the clearance of products from both countries.
Speaking at the opening of the Tunisian-Algerian Economic Forum in Tunis, he emphasized the importance of promoting joint investment, allowing investors from both countries to freely establish themselves in all economic sectors, access financing from banking and financial institutions in both countries, and benefit from reciprocal freedom of movement, residence, property, and investment.
Majoul also stressed the need to focus on high-value-added and strategic sectors, such as:
- Agriculture
- Fishing
- Agri-food industry
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Health
- Energy
- Renewable energy
- Cybersecurity
- Knowledge economy
He added that projects in:
- Public works
- Automotive components
- Textiles and clothing
- Technical textiles
- Textile accessories
- Leather
- Footwear
- Tourism
- Environment
- Transport
- Logistics
should also be encouraged.
The President of UTICA emphasized the need to fully liberalize the currencies of both countries and economic and tourist transactions, after the central banks' agreement on a unified exchange rate, while calling for the development of a tripartite partnership between Tunisian, Algerian, and African companies.
According to him, previous bilateral meetings have already offered real opportunities for cooperation, but the results remain below the ambitions and potential of both countries. He therefore emphasized the need to explore new areas of cooperation in priority sectors, taking advantage of the comparative and competitive advantages of both economies, as well as the mutual trust of private sector actors.
For his part, Kamel Moula, President of the Algerian Council for Economic Renewal (CREA), considered it essential to develop axes of cooperation in the automotive industry, where Tunisia is one of the main players.
He specified that the country had strengthened its investment capacity in this field through innovation and renewal, adapting to the evolution of the global market. "With more than 155 companies active in this sector, it represents one of the pillars of the Tunisian industry, generating tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs," he indicated.
Moula proposed modernizing Algerian SMEs, adopting international standards, and creating an integrated system through the development of partnership platforms facilitating links between automotive manufacturers from both countries.
He added that the Tunisian Association of Automotive Component Manufacturers, the Partnership Exchange, and Algerian companies, with the support of UTICA and CREA, could establish a common roadmap.
He also emphasized that the pooling of efforts in subcontracting could contribute to creating a strong industrial hub, generating wealth and employment, while promoting the transfer of knowledge and skills.
Regarding the tourism sector, Moula expressed Algeria's desire to develop this high-potential sector, relying on Tunisian expertise. He indicated that the exchange of experiences in tourism and vocational training could allow for the building of a strategic partnership for common growth and better regional integration.
Finally, he affirmed that the joint Tunisian-Algerian economic development is part of the roadmap developed by CREA in partnership with UTICA, aiming to unite resources and skills to achieve common goals.
