This growth was also accompanied by a 9.4-per-cent rise in imports, which reached 280.5 MTD in 2011. Hence, the trade balance posted a cover rate of 159%, excess revenue of 165.6 MTD.
At the imports level, the leather and peltry industries added up a volume of 163.1 MTD, while accessories and components 53.6 MTD.
Tunisia’s major suppliers are Italy (47.8%), France (23.7%) and Germany (8.8%). Imports from these three countries represent 80.3% of total imports.
As to Tunisia’s customers in the leather and footwear sector, they are mainly Italy, France and Germany, totaling 87.4% of the country’s exports. Italy ranks as the first customer, with 45.6% of the exports during the first five months of 2011. The most noticeable increase of the Tunisian exports (+ 86.7%) was recorded by the Swiss market; while exports to the United Kingdom dropped by 30.8%.
The LFWI exports—up to 68%– were achieved by off-shore foreign capital companies set up in Tunisia, while totally-exporting companies of Tunisian capital contributed by 25% (111.5 MTD).