There are bright prospects of a preferential trade agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and Tunisia and such a deal can potentially expand bilateral trade between the two countries, said Tunisia’s Deputy Head of Mission to Pakistan Dorsaf Maaroufi Arfaoui. Talking to APP on Sunday, she said that several rounds of negotiations had been held between the two countries for the finalisation of PTA and a list of items, to be included in the deal, was shared at the beginning of negotiations. “Now in the last few rounds, both sides are closer to finalising the agreement,” Arfaoui said. “Trade between the two countries is likely to double after the preferential trade agreement comes into effect.” According to the deputy mission head, Tunisia has significant importance due to its geographical location. On the one hand, it is connected to the developed European countries and on the other it is at the crossroads of emerging African markets, which can create opportunities for Pakistan’s economy and trade.
Similarly, Pakistan holds geostrategic importance as well because it is connected to the Middle East and Central Asia on the one hand and the world’s second largest economy - China - on the other. She was of the opinion that Pakistan’s location made its geographical integration with China more important economically and commercially. “Tunisia’s trade and economy is largely dependent on European markets and the country adheres to several trade agreements with the European nations,” she added. Arfaoui pointed out that Tunisia was a member of the African Union and had free trade agreements with many African countries. “Therefore, we have to consider several factors regarding foreign trade.” After 2012, the volume of trade between Pakistan and Tunisia remained at its peak till 2020 and “there is room for further improvement,” said Arfaoui. According to the United Nations’ database on international trade, Pakistan’s exports to Tunisia amounted to $13.41 million during 2020. On the other hand, Pakistan’s imports from Tunisia stood at $17.52 million during the year.