AfCFTA: 47 certificates of origin issued for Tunisian products exported to four African countries

Tunisian chambers of commerce and industry have so far issued 47 certificates of origin for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, allowing Tunisian products to be exported to Cameroon, Tanzania, Côte d'Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea. Bochra Lajmi, director of trade and economic cooperation with Africa at the Ministry of Trade, told TAP that the main products exported are cables, calcium carbonate, lime, chemical fertilisers and semi-automatic machinery. She explained that the issuance of certificates of origin is part of the "Guided Trade" initiative launched by the AfCFTA Secretariat on October 7, in which Tunisia joined seven other African countries (Egypt, Ghana, Cameroon, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania and Mauritius). This initiative encourages African countries to implement the agreement creating this zone, which is initially scheduled to be launched in January 2021, by providing specific logistical facilitations, such as the conclusion of agreements with transport and logistics companie s to ensure the smooth transport of goods under the free trade agreement. "Tunisia ranks second after Tanzania in terms of certificates of origin," Lajmi explained, stressing that the country is a dynamic player within the AfCFTA, contributing to the growth of trade in Africa. Lajmi said Tunisia has completed all the necessary steps to join the Guided Trade Initiative, including the adoption of its tariff offer, the creation of an ad hoc committee involving various stakeholders, the publication of customs documents and the designation of the authority responsible for issuing the AfCFTA Certificate of Origin. The Certificate of Origin, which is considered a key element for the effective implementation of the agreement, will allow exporting companies to benefit from tariff reductions that will be eliminated from January 1, 2026. The rules of origin currently cover 87.7% of tariff lines, with the chapters not fully covered being textiles and clothing, and motor vehicles, tractors, bicycles and other land veh icles, parts and accessories. Lajmi also revealed that a Tunisian company has contacted the Ministry of Trade to secure the necessary information to obtain the certificate of origin for the export of "Deglet Nour" dates to Mauritius. Once finalised, this will be the first export of Tunisian dates to the African market. The AfCFTA agreement entered into force in May 2019, and was ratified by Tunisia on August 7, 2020. It is one of the flagship projects of the African Union (AU) and aims to strengthen South-South cooperation for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, in line with the AU's Agenda 2063. The agreement also aims to consolidate trade relations between the 55 member states of the Union, in a potential market of 1.3 billion people and a combined gross domestic product of $3.4 trillion. This agreement aims to remove customs barriers that hinder the free movement of goods and services between African countries. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse