“Tunisia remains an extremely competitive site”, these are the words used by Ferdinand Terburg chairman of the Tunisian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday June 23rd in Tunis to conclude the presentation of the survey: “the German exporting companies in Tunisia - Situation and prospects 2007/2008”.

CTAIC’s new survey carried out in April 2008 concerned a representative sample of 104 German exporting companies hiring 35,000 employees representing about 80% of the personnel hired by all the German companies established in Tunisia.

Another important aspect of the survey is that 71% of the interviewed companies manage production sites in countries other than Tunisia which makes the survey even more accurate since it analyzes the components of Tunisian attractiveness according to a comparative approach.

Concerning the health of German companies in Tunisia , the survey shows that the large majority of the latter, that is 87% has recorded a positive evolution of their business as against only 31% the previous years. In this respect, the exports turnover growth is indeed a source of satisfaction, as 69% of the companies have recorded a growth of their TO compared to 46% in 2005. Another good health indicator is the fact that 63% of the companies had to hire additional personnel in 2007 as against 42% in 2005. Besides, the expectations for 2008 seem much more optimistic: 62% of the interviewed companies expect a development of their activities as against 44% in 2005.

According to the survey, geographic proximity, social and political stability and tax privileges remain the major attractions of Tunisia.
However, improvements are suggested for the infrastructures and the processing deadlines of some administrative formalities. These suggestions will be the subject of an interdepartmental meeting on July 24th, with the participation of representatives of German companies under the chairmanship of the Ministry of development and international cooperation.