BUYUSA.GOV -- U.S. Commercial Service
Market Challenges
- Doing business in Tunisia can be challenging for US
companies, who may perceive the Tunisian bureaucracy as
cumbersome and slow and may find that the regulatory environment
lacks coherence and consistency. The decision-making process can
be opaque and at odds with the government’s official pro-business
stance, which proclaims transparency. However, with adequate
planning and longer lead times, favorable results can be
obtained.
- Imports from the EU enjoy a considerable price advantage over
other countries' products as many EU products are now totally
exempt from import duties. US products generally enjoy widespread
acceptance among consumers, although their perceived edge in
quality and technology can be offset by the additional costs
associated with their distribution by European intermediaries and
the recent depreciation of the Tunisian Dinar against the Euro.
- The EU and many European countries offer excellent financing
terms for trade. Tunisian companies are familiar with these
opportunities but are generally unfamiliar with financing
opportunities available when purchasing US goods. The US Embassy
in Tunis works closely with the Ex-Im Bank, OPIC and other US
organizations to promote awareness of US financing sources.
- Despite difficulties, US firms often successfully compete
against betterestablished European companies and have won
significant Tunisian government contracts, especially in fields
demanding cutting-edge US technology. The US Embassy in Tunis
actively promotes these sectors as being the most attractive for
US companies.
- US exporters to Tunisia should be aware that Tunisian law
prohibits the export of currency as payment for imports before
documents are presented to the bank confirming that the
merchandise has entered the country. This is usually in the form
of Tunisian customs authority documents. US exporters have used
confirmed, irrevocable letters of credit and letters of credit
authorizing "payment against documents" in past transactions.
- US companies should also be extremely careful to verify with
Tunisia’s Central Bank (Banque Centrale de Tunisie) whether they
are permitted to receive payment in foreign currency for services
to customers resident in Tunisia. This issue has been the source
of confusion and occasional difficulty for some US companies in
Tunisia.
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