February 29, 2008

ACDI/VOCA Participates in Trade Relations Trip to Tunisia & Helps Craft Subsequent Report

The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa and the United States Chamber of Commerce has published a report on its November 2007 trip to Tunisia to build U.S. trade relations. Jim Phippard, who has since retired from ACDI/VOCA, played an integral role in the trade relations trip and the creation of the report. The report contains information regarding the trade mission’s exploration of opportunities for U.S. business in the Tunisian market and fostering of dialogue between the United States business community and counterparts in Tunisia.

The participants learned about the United States’ best prospects for exports and examined Tunisia’s most viable economic sectors, including textiles, footwear, information technology, agribusiness, automotive, electronics, energy and tourism. The United States delegation to Tunisia was composed of Phippard of ACDI/VOCA, Bernadette Paolo of the Africa Society, Ladan Moeenziai of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Khaled Chaabouni of Leo-Progress Enterprises, Inc., Amel Ben Cherifa of Proctor and Gamble, Dan O’Flaherty of the National Foreign Trade Council, and Michael Smith of Devonshire Investors. In addition, there were representatives of the Tunisian American Chamber of Commerce and U.S. embassies, along with the U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Robert F. Godec.

Phippard has a long history of involvement in Tunisia and has made significant contributions to the development of the country. As director of USAID\Tunisia, Phippard developed the Rural Potable Water Institutions project, which created local water users’ associations, an innovation which was disseminated throughout rural Tunisia. He also headed the development of a multi-year P.L. 480 strategy, which cited in USAID’s report “Negotiating and Programming Food Aid: A Review of Successes.” Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba personally commended his efforts and decorated Phippard “Commander, Order of the Republic,” making him the only director in Tunisia to have been so honored. In subsequent years, Phippard served as president of the American Tunisian Association.

To read the Tunisia Trade Relations Trip Report, click here (PDF, 271 KB).