Ambassador Joey Hood travelled to Zaghouan on September 25 and met with local government officials, U.S. companies in the automotive component manufacturing sector, and local companies that are expanding their operations through U.S. government economic assistance programs. With U.S.-Tunisia trade reaching $1.3 billion last year, the Ambassador’s visit highlights the great potential for expanding the U.S.-Tunisian trade relationship, and Tunisia’s tremendous engineering and ICT talent as one of its many strongpoints for attracting additional U.S. investment.
During his trip, Ambassador Hood also met with Governor of Zaghouan Mohamed El Euch and discussed the region’s economic strengths and potential areas for future partnership. He also visited the ancient Roman site Thuburbo Majus and conducted an interview with l’agence Tunis Afrique Presse and Jawhara FM..
The Ambassador toured the Amphenol Tunisia factory, a leading supplier of advanced interconnect systems, sensors, and antennas for automotive applications. Amphenol Tunisia has steadily grown its workforce to 1,800 local jobs, which includes a recently built Research and Development center in Tunis. Ambassador Hood also visited Kaschke Components Tunisie, which employs nearly 2,300 people across Tunisia, including 1,000 in Zaghouan.
In the industrial zone of Jebel Ouest, Ambassador Hood visited Tunisia’s and North Africa’s first frozen potato product manufacturer, Tunifries, and saw firsthand how U.S. government support has helped create 88 new jobs. In Zaghouan alone, USAID’s nationwide Jobs, Opportunities & Business Success (USAID JOBS) initiative has supported 1,262 companies and created or sustained 1,917 jobs.
“Just last month on August 28, we celebrated the 226th anniversary of the signingof the first agreement of friendship and trade between the United States and Tunisia. The growing number of trade and business successes like the ones I’m seeing today here in Zaghouan are among the many reasons why I’m optimistic about the future of our relationship.” the Ambassador shared during his visit.
Ambassador Hood’s visit to Zaghouan is one of the many initiatives of U.S. Embassy Tunis to promote greater cooperation and strengthen ties between Tunisians and Americans and highlights how our growing trade relationship in the 21st century has become a driving force for innovation and opportunity for both our nations.
Source: US EMBASSY
