On November 15, the U.S. Department of State convened a one-day Tunisia Partnerships Forum at the request of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Secretary’s Global Partnership Initiative took a unique approach in the design of this event: every step of the planning was based on the desired outcome of creating revenue-generating deals that will benefit both Americans and Tunisians by fostering job creation and economic opportunity.
Twenty Tunisians traveled to the U.S. specifically for this event. They joined over 200 forum participants, including Arab-American investors and U.S. businesses leaders across the three sectors the Tunisians recommended: information and communications technology, tourism, and franchising. According to Tunisian Ambassador to the United States Mohamed Salah Tekaya, the Tunisia Partnerships Forum was “truly historic” and “the first forum the U.S. has hosted exclusively for Tunisia.” Based on feedback from forum participants and activity on LinkedIn, new deals are already under discussion.
Following the event, U.S. and Tunisian officials agreed to make this forum the beginning of a long term effort. As Special Representative for Global Partnerships Kris Balderston explained, “We believe the history that Tunisians are writing certainly did not end on October 23. The private business and public-private partnerships we will develop together can be profitable and create jobs in both of our countries, based on our mutual interest in deepening trade and investments between Americans and Tunisians.”
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