Tunisia’s Parliament Committee on Foreign Relations Hearings on the African Union Seat Agreement and the African Centre of Excellence for Inclusive Markets (AIMEC)
The Committee on Foreign Relations of the Tunisian Parliament held a hearing on Tuesday with Minister of Trade and Export Development Samir Abid regarding the organic law that approves the seat‑sharing agreement between Tunisia and the African Union (AU) for hosting the African Centre of Excellence for Inclusive Markets (AIMEC).
Key Points Raised by the Committee Chair
- Riadh Jaïdane, chair of the committee, called for an accelerated review of the draft law. He emphasized the expected economic and social benefits of locating the centre in Tunisia, notably:
- Creation of new jobs
- Support for vulnerable population groups
- Strengthening of Tunisia’s economic presence across Africa
Minister’s Response
- The minister explained that Tunisia’s selection among several candidate countries was based on “rigorous” criteria and was endorsed by a majority of AU member states before the agreement was signed in July 2022.
- AIMEC is slated to provide AU member states with:
- Market‑development support services
- Incentive financing mechanisms aimed at fostering continental economic integration
Parliamentary Concerns
- Some deputies highlighted obstacles that still hinder Tunisia’s breakthrough into African markets, pointing out:
- A deficit in diplomatic representation
- Insufficient coordination with elected officials, especially within the Pan‑African Parliament
- Lawmakers also questioned whether Tunisia’s national strategy aligns with the AU’s Agenda 2063 development framework.
Government’s Commitment
- Minister Abid assured that his department is ready to strengthen coordination with parliamentarians. He believes that hosting AIMEC will boost Tunisia’s:
- Economic attractiveness
- Tourism appeal
- Cultural profile
Keywords: Tunisia, African Union, AIMEC, inclusive markets, foreign relations committee, trade minister, economic integration, Agenda 2063, parliamentary hearing.
