TUNISIAN AGRICULTURAL MINISTER TOUTS COOPERATION

UNCLAS TUNIS 001221 SENSITVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG (NARDI AND HAYES) STATE PASS USTR (BURKHEAD),USTDA (KRESS AND SHAPIRO) AND USAID (MCCLOUD) USDOC FOR ITA/MAC/ONE (MASON),ADVOCACY CTR (TABINE),AND CLDP (TEJTEL AND MCMANUS) RABAT FOR AG ATTACHE (AHMED) CASABLANCA FOR FCS (ORTIZ) LONDON AND PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON EFIN ETRD FAS ESTH TS SUBJECT: TUNISIAN AGRICULTURAL MINISTER TOUTS COOPERATION -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) Recently appointed Minister of Agriculture Abdesselem Mansour, long a contact of the US Embassy, told the Ambassador in a December 12 meeting that he will seek to improve cooperation. Mansour asked for scholarships for Tunisian agricultural engineers and suggested the two governments explore ways to increase agribusiness development and investment. The Ambassador stressed US interest in cooperation on agriculture. He noted current programs such as the Cochrane Fellowship, touted opportunities for Tunisia under GSP, and discussed a visit by the new US Agriculture Attache in Rabat. The Minister highlighted his interest in increasing exports, particularly to the United States, noting that doing so fits squarely with a central theme of the GOT's 11th economic development plan. End Summary. -------------- More On Cooperation -------------- ¶2. (U) During a December 12 meeting, the Ambassador and recently appointed Agricultural Minister Abdessalam Mansour explored areas for cooperation. Early in the conversation, the Minister expressed an interest in increasing Tunisian agricultural exports to the United States. The Ambassador responded by noting the recent visit of USTR Executive Director for GPS, Marideth Sandler, and the many opportunities that exist for Tunisian farmers under the program. The Ambassador also offered to ask whether a visit to Tunisia by a regional USDA phyto-sanitary expert could be arranged. ¶3. (U) Mansour mentioned that he had helped establish the Tunisian American Date company in the 1980s, saying he would like replicate this success as Minister. He also asked for increased access to scholarships and technical exchanges. The Ambassador stressed the value of the Cochrane Scholarship program, which the Minister agreed was useful. The Ambassador also highlighted opportunities offered by the Trade and Development Agency (TDA),noting the recent visit here by senior TDA representatives. The Minister expressed a strong interest. The Ambassador also suggested that a visit to the Ministry by the recently arrived US Agricultural Attach based in Rabat would serve to strengthen engagement. The Minister agreed and offered to assist in organizing it. -------------- - Current State of Tunisian Agricultural Affairs -------------- - ¶4. (U) Mansour said Tunisia was making good progress in strengthening the agriculture sector, as demonstrated by the wide variety of produce grown here. Many Tunisian staples, such as tomatoes and onions, are available year-round. Mansour expressed some concern about the lack of rainfall, noting however that the problem principally affected the north and central eastern areas. He underscored the importance of grain and cereal production to the GOT, and said the government planned to open an institute for cereals extension in two to three months. He also mentioned that the GOT is seeking partnerships for the institute. Ambassador Godec responded by offering to support additional exchanges and to consider if there are possible US partners. -------------- Tunisia - EU Agricultural Negotiations -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Mansour said Tunisia is heading into the third round of talks on agricultural trade with the EU in January 2009. (Note: In a separate conversation with EconOff, Fabian Seiderer from the EU Commission confirmed that these negotiations would be a tough slog, as the GOT is not skilled in engaging the private sector to determine what goals to pursue. Seiderer went on to add that the GOT publicly expresses great interest in moving forward but that behind the scenes they are slow to take action and respond to offers.) -------------- Biographic Background on the New Minister -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Abdessalam Mansour is an advocate of the free market and supports strong ties between the United States and Tunisia. Long a good contact of the Embassy, he remains open to engaging with us, but now that he is a Minister he can do so only with the permission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ¶7. (U) Mansour graduated from the University of Tunis in 1971 with a BA in Economics and earned a Masters in Agricultural Economics from the University of Minnesota class of 1974. He began his career as an engineer for the Ministry of Agriculture. He served as the economic advisor to the Kuwaiti Economic and Social Development Fund and later served as the Director of projects for the Tunisian-Saudi Investment fund. In 1999 he was named as the President of the Executive Board and Director General of the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA). He also served as an active member of board of directors of the Tunisian-American Chamber of Commerce. Minister Mansour is 59 and hails from Sousse. He is married with two children and is fluent in English, French and Arabic. His most recent visit to the United States was in May 2008 to attend a week-long workshop on small and medium enterprise development in Kansas City that was hosted by the OECD. GODEC