Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid, and Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El-Khatib, agreed Wednesday to increase trade volume between their countries from $450millionto$1 billion within two years. The announcement came during the sixth session of the Tunisian-Egyptian Joint Trade and Industrial Committee.

Key Outcomes of the Meeting

1. Trade Expansion Plan

   • Current trade volume: $450 million

   • New target: $1 billion by 2026

   • Measures to achieve goal:
     ✓ Removing trade barriers and restrictions
     ✓ Enhancing mutual investments
     ✓ Strengthening cooperation in exhibitions and international markets

2. Ministerial Statements

   • Tunisia’s Minister Abid:
     "The Joint Committee is a pivotal mechanism for developing bilateral cooperation in trade and industry, serving as a key platform to review areas of mutual interest and strengthen economic partnership."

   • Egypt’s Minister El-Khatib:
     "Combining efforts to elevate trade cooperation is essential to achieving full economic integration, paving the way for sustainable development and shared prosperity."

3. Additional Agreements

   • Mutual recognition of conformity certificates (including electronic linkage of certification systems)

   • Customs cooperation to facilitate smoother trade flows

   • Coordinated stances on WTO and AfCFTA matters to enhance both nations’ presence in African markets

Meeting Structure

• Preparatory expert-level meeting:

  • Chaired by Dr. Amani Al-Wessal (Head of Foreign Trade Agreements, Egypt)

  • Tunisian delegation led by the Director-General of Economic and Trade Cooperation

• Ministerial session: Focused on reviewing trade performance and setting new cooperation frameworks

Next Steps

• Continued participation in each other’s trade fairs

• Specialized exhibitions to promote Tunisian and Egyptian products

• Regular follow-ups to ensure implementation of agreed measures