U.S. to strengthen trade with Tunisia

   Officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development have launched an initiative with Tunisia to establish trade in the region and internationally, and encourage the local growth of small and midsized businesses.
   The Office of the United States Trade Representative helped develop the initiative, which is part of the U.S-Tunisia Trade and Investment Framework. Work between the countries will be achieved through online platforms and partnerships, according to a news release. 
   “Fostering trade and building institutional ties between small businesses in the United States and Tunisia as well as the broader region will promote economic growth and jobs for both countries,” Miriam Sapiro, deputy U.S. trade representative, said in a statement, “and it is an important component of our work in both the TIFA and the Obama administration’s Middle East North Africa Trade and Investment Partnership.”
   According to the Commerce Department, the United States exported $133.3 million in goods to Tunisia during the first three months of the year after exporting $593.9 million in goods last year. Imports from Tunisia are at $262.9 million after the first three months of 2013; total imports in 2012 reached $737.9 million. – Jon Ross