Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TUNIS1598
2006-06-27 13:17:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL CALL WITH MINITER OF DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Tags:  ECON ETRD EFIN TS 
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VZCZCXYZ0024
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #1598 1781317
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 271317Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1107
UNCLAS TUNIS 001598 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NA/MAG FOR MAYA HARRIS, EB/TPP, EB/CBA
STATE PLEAS PASS TO USTR FOR SHAUN DONNELLY AND DOUG BELL
DC FOR NATHANIEL MASON, CHRISTOPHER JAMES, AND AMY ABINE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EFINTS


SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL CALL WITH MINITER OF
DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION


UNCLAS TUNIS 001598

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NA/MAG FOR MAYA HARRIS, EB/TPP, EB/CBA
STATE PLEAS PASS TO USTR FOR SHAUN DONNELLY AND DOUG BELL
DC FOR NATHANIEL MASON, CHRISTOPHER JAMES, AND AMY ABINE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EFINTS


SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL CALL WITH MINITER OF
DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION



1. (U) Summary: Ambassador Hudson paid a farewel call on
Minister of Development and Internationl Cooperation (MDIC)
Mohamed Nouri Jouini on Jun 20, 2006. The Ambassador
delivered a letter frm USTR concerning a proposed June 30,
2006 meetin between the minister and AUSTR Donnelly
(SEPTEL. The discussion centered on the investment climat,
the economy, and the important role that the ministry plays
in the economic future of Tunisia. End Summary.


2. (U) The Ambassador met with Minister of Development and
International Cooperation Mohamed Nouri Jouini on June 20,

2006. The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the
quality of cooperation that he has received during his tenure
in Tunisia. He indicated that Tunisia had made progress on
TRIPS compliance and that it was not listed on this year's
Special 301 list because the MDIC and the Ministry of Public
Health took the issue of IPR seriously. The Ambassador also
noted that he sensed a more positive American attitude
towards investment in Tunisia. This is largely due to the
efforts of MDIC and of The Foreign Investment Promotion
Agency (L'agence de Promotion des Investissements Exterieur,
FIPA). The Ambassador indicated that FIPA has been a very
effective and supportive organization. Ambassador stated
that MDIC is key for U.S. investment in Tunisia and key for
Tunisia's economic future.


4. (SBU) The Ambassador applauded the GOT's interest in
promoting higher technology investments. In this vein, the
Ambassador inquired about a recent meeting with a major US
high tech company interested in making a sizable investment
in Tunisia. The Ambassador indicated that this was a new
level of high technology and that the investment would be the
first of its kind in the Maghreb region. The Ambassador
indicated that if this deal goes through it would be a good
signal for other U.S. investors. He indicated that success
stories are good for Tunisia as they tend to spread the word
on its investment climate. The minister responded that the
meeting had gone well and that the GOT was very interested in
the proposal. The minister indicated that FIPA and MDIC
would be working with this investor to come up with
appropriate programs and incentives to close the deal. The
minister also said that this investment would be a new type
of partnership but that it fit in well with the GOT's policy
to generate new investments and economic progress. The
minister stated that he felt this venture could be the
beginning of a new trend for U.S. investment in Tunisia.


5. (U) Minister Jouini thanked the Ambassador for building a
cooperative relationship with the GOT and for his commitment
to maintaining an open dialogue which helped strengthen our
relationship. The minister said that it is important for
governments to dialogue in order to make progress. He hoped
that this open dialogue would continue with the Ambassador's
successor. The minister said that MDIC works as a team and
that they are aware of the challenges ahead for Tunisia
(employment issues, growth conditions, economic and
demography changes). He knows that the next 10 years are
critical ones for the GOT. The GOT is a developing country
and it knows what it can do and what it cannot do. The
minister indicated that the pressure on GOT is high and so it
must make the necessary changes to meet the challenges it
faces. According to the minister research and education
needs to accept constant change in order to keep pace with
the ever changing technology. The minister indicated that
the GOT will be focusing on the need for transfer of
knowledge and technology in order to meet future challenges.


6. (U) The minister said that the GOT is on the right path
and that he is satisfied with the continuous dialogue he has
had with investors. He stressed that he felt there was a
need to get the Tunisian private sector more involved in this
dialogue and to get the business community working with the
GOT to make the positive message about doing business in
Tunisia more credible. The minister said that the GOT needs
to fine tune its economic reform efforts by paying attention
to the details.


7. (SBU) Comment: Due to the GOT's overweening desire for
control, Jouini and his ministry are occasionally dealt a
difficult hand in promoting investment and trade
relationships. They are, however, the most professional,
progressive, and responsive actors in the GOT, and, arguably,
Tunisian trade and investment. End comment.
BALLARD