Category: Business

Almost three years after being presented to stakeholders in a workshop in Tunis, the draft decree setting the limit values of concentrations of lead and cadmium and their compounds as well as certain organic solvents in paints, has not been adopted yet and therefore not applied. The goal of this regulation, the final version of which was developed in collaboration with all the stakeholders concerned (ministries of the Environment and Health, UTICA, civil society, etc.), is to prevent and reduce health and environmental repercussions of paints as they contain chemical substances deemed harmful to citizens' health and the environment. This mainly involves limiting lead and cadmium additives and organic solvents (Benzene and Toluene) in paints by setting limit values of these substances in paints manufactured, imported and distributed on the local market. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies lead, cadmium and benzene among the 10 chemicals of serious concern for the public health, particularly to v ulnerable people: children, pregnant women (risk of fetal exposure) and the workers. Several diseases are caused by these substances, mainly irreversible damage to the brain and the nervous system and kidney failure, the blood system and reproduction. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The Average Monetary Rate (French: TMM) for November 2023 stabilized at 7.99%, for the second consecutive month, according to the monetary and financial data published, Friday, by the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT). The TMM has kept its upward trend over the recent years, going from 6.13% late in November 2020 to 6.25% in November 2021, then reaching 7.27% in November 2022, and was stable at 7.99% in November 2023. The TMM recorded its highest levels in 2023, reaching a peak of 8.05% in March 2023. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

An earth tremor measuring 3.6 degrees on the Richter scale was recorded, on Saturday, at 3:20 PM ( local time) in the southeast of Medenine governorate, the National Institute of Meteorology (INM) said. The epicenter of the tremor is located at 33.15 degrees latitude and 10.70 degrees longitude, according to the preliminary analyses provided by seismological stations reporting to the INM. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

A workshop on technology innovations and green entrepreneurship in Tunisia was held Saturday on the sidelines of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 28) in Dubai (November 30- December 12). Challenges confronting green businesses in Tunisia took centre stage. Opportunities in Tunisia as part of transition to green economy and sustainable development came under the spotlight. Environment Minister Leila Chkhaoui Mahdaoui said there is need to support technological initiatives and encourage investment. Tunisia, she said, is among the countries that managed to strike a balance between technolog development and environment protection. Technological innovation and green entrepreneurship are crucial in building a sustainable future and boosting the economy. The event was organised by the Tunis International Centre for Environmental Technologies (French: CITET) and the Export Promotion Centre (French: CEPEX). Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Tunindex closed the month of Novembre at 8, 576.83 points, recording a 2.16% rise after edging down 0.75% in October 2023, according to the monthly analysis published by Tunis Stock broker Tunisie Valeurs. Since early this year, cumulative gains amounted to 5.76% against 14.74% during the dame period in 2022. The trading volume reached TND 72.8 million, down 3% compared to the previous month. The average daily trading volume stood at TND 3.3 million against TND 4.4 million in October and TND 7.1 million in 2023. Variations in security prices trended upwards with 44 rising against 28 slumping. //Tunindex 20 edges up 2.19% in Novembre 2023// Tunindex 20 grew 2.19% in November after falling 0.61% in October, closing at 3, 754,.93 points. Since early January, Tunindex 20 rose 4.53% against 17.85% during the same period in 2022. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The Ministry of Communication Technologies announced the launch of the "Digital Learning Academy" to develop the digital skills of 680,000 civil servants. The platform was inaugurated on Friday under the supervision of Minister of Communication Technologies Nizar Ben Neji and CEO of Smart Tunisian Technoparks (S2T) Sofiene Hemissi, in the presence of representatives of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and delegates from various relevant institutions. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Communication Technologies and overseen by S2T, aligns with the national commitment to improve the skills of civil servants in Tunisia. This initiative will offer civil servants the opportunity to receive training to improve their skills in preparation for the digital challenges and requirements of the current era. Ben Neji underlined the importance of this platform, which will help motivate and develop the skills of all civil servants, as it will enable them to access and follow a range of courses and training in digital fields. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

A series of proposals put forward by the Tunisian-Turkish cooperation commission responsible for developing the bilateral free trade agreement was adopted during cabinet meeting chaired, Friday, Prime Minister, Ahmed Hachani, at the Prime Ministry. An agreement was reached to review the list of some Turkish industrial products and articles (cleaning products and detergents, rubber tires, ready-to-wear clothing and plastic objects) which can be substituted by other local products and impose customs tariffs on them. This decision will be included in the framework of the 2024 finance law. It was also agreed to provide Tunisian exports of certain agricultural and food products to Turkey with advantages, in the form of annual quotas which will be exempt from customs duties. During this session which took place in the presence of the Ministers of Finance, Trade, Transport and Agriculture as well as the Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) and the Secretary of State to the Minister of Affairs foreign co untries, the different parties decided to organize, during the first quarter of 2024, an economic forum aimed at boosting Turkish investment in Tunisia in sectors of common interest.