WORLD TRADE G/STR/N/1/TUN
14November 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-4836)
Original: French Working Party onState Trading Enterprises
STATE TRADING
Notification Pursuant toArticle XVII:4(a) oftheGATT andParagraph 1
oftheUnderstanding ontheInterpretation ofArticle XVII
TUNISIA
Thefollowing communication, dated 31October 1996, hasbeenreceived fromthePermanent
Mission ofTunisia.
________________
A. Tea,coffee andsugar
I. STATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
Tunisian Trade Board (OCT)
II. REASON FOR MAINTAINING ASTATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
Under theDecree Lawof3April 1962, theOCTisresponsible more particularly forsupplying
thecountry withfoodproducts essentially quoted onthestock exchange.
Theproducts arechiefly tea,coffee andsugar.
III. DESCRIPTION OFTHE FUNCTIONING OFTHE ENTERPRISE
TheOCT deals withimports oftheabove-mentioned products, irrespective ofthemethod of
purchase.
Thetendering andcontract procedures areinkeeping withtherules ofcompetition.G/STR/N/1/TUN
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IV. STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Quantity: Tonnes
Value: Dinars
ProductsImports Production
1993 1994 1995 1993 1994 1995
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Quantity Quantity
Sugar 139,534 40,954,310 189,546 62,547,945 137,210 50,934,537 22,820 23,019 26,539
Coffee 11,032 17,278,744 12,770 18,940,652 7,421 10,386,251 - - -
Tea 6,030 5,657,510 8,201 14,124,138 8,198 24,747,368 - - -
V. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TheOCT alsoengages inthefollowing activities:
- Promoting thecommercial andindustrial partnership;
- preparing various studies toimprove distribution channels.
B. Medicaments andpharmaceuticals
I. STATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
Tunisian Central Pharmacy (PCT).
II. REASON FOR MAINTAINING ASTATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
ThePCT, established andorganized under theDecree Lawof16January 1961, asamended
bytheLawof26November 1990 andtheDecree of20April 1991, isresponsible for:
- Regular supply oftheTunisian market withmedicaments andpharmaceuticals;
- covering thepopulation 'snormal consumption ofsuchproducts;
- better competition andcompetitive prices bymeans ofgroup purchasing.
III. DESCRIPTION OFTHE FUNCTIONING OFTHE ENTERPRISE
1. ThePCTdeals chiefly withimports ofmedicaments andpharmaceuticals.
2. Procurement andcontracting involve three methods:
- International callsfortenders;G/STR/N/1/TUN
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- negotiated purchase, forofficinal pharmaceutical preparations;
- two-year orthree-year agreements (framework contracts).
IV. STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Value: Millions ofdinars
Imports Exports
1993 1994 1995 1993 1994 1995
Officinal preparations 89.9 99.2 101.3 - - -
Hospital preparations 37.3 41.2 40.7 - - -
Total 127.2 140.4 142.0 4.9 10.6 7.5
C. Vaccines, seras andallergens
I. STATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
Pasteur Institute ofTunis (IPT): State corporation formedical research andproduction and
inspection ofseras andvaccines.
II. REASON FOR MAINTAINING ASTATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
ThePasteur Institute 'smonopoly isexercised under LawNo.58-35 of15March 1958.
TheInstitute ensures thatthecountry isregularly supplied withvaccines, serasandallergens.
III. DESCRIPTION OFTHE FUNCTIONING OFTHE ENTERPRISE
Theimport quantities oftheabove-mentioned products arenotdetermined since, inkeeping
withthetaskofguaranteeing coverage ofTunisia 'sneeds invaccines, serums, blood preparations,
allergens forhuman useandvaccines andtuberculins forveterinary use,theIPTimports enough to
achieve thisobjective.
Twothirds oftheimported products areforvaccination programmes carried outbypublic
bodies (Ministry ofPublic Health andMinistry ofAgriculture). Onethirdgoestotheprivate sector.G/STR/N/1/TUN
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IV. STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Value: Dinars
Item 1992 1993 1994
Production Imports Production Imports Production Imports
Seras andvaccines,
forhuman use 415,105.675 - 507,481.835 - 596,611.993 -
Vaccines for
veterinary use 150,213.180 1,417,198.337 186,497.926 2,142,453.041 81,672.575 2,388,158.193
Allergens - 576,703.957 - 786,981.122 - 629,984.099
Human vaccines and
blood preparations - 1,990,109 - 2,354,643,678 - 2,911,980.239
V. REASON WHY NOFOREIGN TRADE HAS TAKEN PLACE (IFTHIS ISTHE CASE)
INPRODUCTS AFFECTED
Thecountry issupplied withvaccines inaccordance withtherules ofcompetition between
foreign products, viabi-annual international consultation bytheIPT.
TheIPTproduction isforthehome market.
D. Cereals
I. STATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
Grain Board
II. REASONS FOR MAINTAINING ASTATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
Under theDecree Lawof3April 1962, theGrain Board ensures thatthecountry isproperly
supplied withgrains.
III. DESCRIPTION OFTHE FUNCTIONING OFTHE ENTERPRISE
TheBoard isresponsible forimporting grain (durum wheat, common wheat andbarley).
Theimport quantities arenotdetermined. Inkeeping withitstaskofguaranteeing aregular
supply ofthese foodstuffs, theGrain Board imports enough toachieve thisobjective.
Thecontract negotiated areshort-term business contracts. TheGovernment doesnotenter
intocontractual obligations.G/STR/N/1/TUN
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IV. STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Quantity: Thousands oftonnes
Value: Millions ofdinars
Production Imports
Quantity Value Quantity Value
Durum wheat
1993
1994
19951,134
436
472294.7
113.4
129.829
67
6934.8
16.0
140.9
Common wheat
1993
1994
1995279
66
5962.8
14.9
14.2686
725
91185.6
81.9
149.2
Barley
1993
1994
1995478
145
8071.7
21.8
16.030
454
4542.9
37.9
37.9
Maize
1993
1994
19950
0
0-
-
-290
254
29836.6
33.0
38.7
E. Edible oils
I. STATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
National Edible OilsBoard.
II. REASON FOR MAINTAINING ASTATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
Under theDecree Lawof16October 1970, theNational Edible OilsBoard (ONH):
- Looks afterthecountry 'sinterest inmaintaining exports ofolive oil;
- ensures thecountry 'ssupplies byimports ofseedoilforconsumption.
III. DESCRIPTION OFTHE FUNCTIONING OFTHE ENTERPRISE
Theimport quantities arenotdetermined since, inkeeping withitstaskofguaranteeing regular
supply oftheTunisian market, theONH imports enough toachieve thatgoal.
Private individuals areauthorized tomarket edible oilsand,forthispurpose, thecontracts
negotiated areshort-term contracts, freely entered intowiththeparties concerned.G/STR/N/1/TUN
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IV. STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Quantity: Thousands oftonnes
Value: Millions ofdinars
Production Imports Exports
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
Seed oil
1993
1994
19950
0
0141
154
17665.6
91.6
111.0-
-
--
-
-
Olive oil
1993
1994
1995135
210
70185.6
288.8
96.3-
-
--
-
-123
193
90177.3
305.2
216.6
F. Alcohol
I. STATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
National Alcohol Agency (RNA)
II. REASON FOR MAINTAINING ASTATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
Under theDecree of20November 1927, theNational Alcohol Agency isaState corporation
responsible foroperating thealcohol sector inTunisia.
III. DESCRIPTION OFTHE FUNCTIONING OFTHE ENTERPRISE
TheRNA imports alcohol andexports by-products ofwineleesandargol.
Thequantity ofimports isdetermined interms ofannual demand ontheTunisian market.
Theexport priceandtheprices ofimported products aredetermined bythelawsofcompetition.G/STR/N/1/TUN
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IV. STATISTICAL INFORMATION
- Imports
Quantity: Hectolitres
Value: Dinars
Product 1993 1994 1995
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
Neutral spirit - - 10,186 611,073 - -
Non-rectified
alcohol 11,330 356,487 - - 12,113 559,918
Absolute alcohol 1,982 99,257 1,982 135,670 3,898 297,677
Methylene 918 99,918 - - 8,732
Phlegma 10,392 385,380 12,213 568,413 24,242 1,163,914
- Production
Quantity: Hectolitres
Product 1993 1994 1995
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
Neutral spirit 17,220 - 17,080 - 17,244 -
Non-rectified
alcohol 2,470 - 2,447 - 2,692 -
- Exports
Quantity: Tonnes
Value: Dinars
Product 1993 1994 1995
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
Lees 153,374 93,564 77,290 37,943 63,065 67,007
Argol 27,470 27,184 51,017 35,420 31,247 43,539
G. Tobacco andmatches
I. STATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
National Tobacco andMatches Agency (RNTA)G/STR/N/1/TUN
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II. REASON FOR MAINTAINING ASTATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
TheNational Tobacco andMatches Agency hasthemonopoly onmarketing tobacco under Law
No.64-57 of28December 1964.
III. DESCRIPTION OFTHE FUNCTIONING OFTHE ENTERPRISE
TheRNTA administers thetobacco sector inTunisia. Prices aredetermined onthebasisofannual
contracts.
IV. STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Value: Thousands ofdinars
Product 1993 1994 1995
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
Production
Packets ofcigarettes
Cigars
Boxes ofmatches249,296,823
157,900
135,440,03433,178
4,785233,469,355
7,698
133,956,79632,288
5,513220,842,669
161,300
45,731,64230,751
5,357
Imports
Packets ofcigarettes
Cigars
Pouches, 40g.and50g.118,520,283
299,590
25,55534,525 121,747,245
324,625
20,52534,812 126,093,882
271,025
59535,810
Exports
Tons oftobacco
Sachets ofsnuff442,172
2,136,0001,508 452
1,848,5001,285 516,754
1,992,0001,371
H. Refining ofcrude oil
I. STATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
Tunisian Refining Industries Corporation (STIR)
II. REASON FOR MAINTAINING ASTATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
TheSTIR, established under LawNo.60-11 of26July1960, isresponsible forrefining crude
oiltomeetdomestic demand forpetroleum products.
III. DESCRIPTION OFTHE FUNCTIONING OFTHE ENTERPRISE
TheSTIR refines Tunisian orforeign crude oil.Allproduction goestothelocalmarket, but
itdoesengage inforeign trade inpetroleum products tomake itsactivity more profitable.
Thetrading procedure isbycallsfortenders, inaccordance withtherules ofcompetition.G/STR/N/1/TUN
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IV. STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Quantity: Tonnes
Value: Dinars
Products 1993 1994 1995
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
Imports
-Fuel oil
-Gas-oil
-Petrol394,269
85,359
44,22722,958,664
14,432,595
8,342,937429,372
-
44,89931,555,435
-
8,118,152293,032
122,708
61,73628,262,715
18,031,144
11,086,489
Exports
-Fuel oil
-Gas-oil
-V.Naphtha389,004
-
140,13335,972,081
-
22,115,188472,543
-
54,78743,344,420
-
7,205,510440,820
27,524
62,21443,973,351
3,112,367
9,472,267
I. Crude oilandpetroleum products
I. STATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
Tunisian Petroleum Enterprise (ETAP)
II. REASON FOR MAINTAINING ASTATE TRADING ENTERPRISE
TheETAP, established under LawNo.72-22 of10March 1972, isresponsible forsupplying
thecountry withpetroleum products.
III. DESCRIPTION OFTHE FUNCTIONING OFTHE ENTERPRISE
TheETAP engages inoilprospecting anddrilling inassociation withforeign partners andin
marketing theState'scrude oilandproducts.
TheETAP imports petroleum products toensure regular supplies.
Thetendering andcontract procedures areinkeeping withtherules ofcompetition.
Thecontracts negotiated areshort-term business contracts. TheGovernment doesnotenter
intocontractual obligations.G/STR/N/1/TUN
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IV. STATISTICAL INFORMATION
(a) Crude oil
Quantity: Tonnes
Value: Dinars
Products 1993 1994 1995
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
Imports 295,415 39,517,633 656,043 82,040,958 854,565 107,027,623
Exports 2,032,528 253,047,116 2,083,201 251,258,936 2,179,727 262,359,926
(b) Petroleum products
Products1993 1994 1995
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
Imports:
LPG 157,894 31,411,036 156,672 26,994,627 182,342 40,050,193
Gas-oil 666,831 115,153,811 699,109 106,052,581 540,180 79,672,827
JetA1 227,843 45,461,531 251,139 40,859,253 260,167 42,556,254
Fueloil 908,517 65,401,533 459,807 39,789,460 268,011 27,231,953
Kerosene 36,342 6,780,553 19,426 3,345,916 37,239 5,957,826
Bitumen 92,642 6,683,894 78,483 7,091,091 74,193 7,070,007
Basestock 30,548 8,328,545 33,354 8,247,029 34,425 9,605,364
Exports:
Propane 10,748 1,653,723 4,149 459,341 7,449 1,052,267
Gasoline 33,736 4,958,559 32,397 4,512,908 31,197 4,256,808
(c) Natural gasimports
Quantity:Thousandsm3
Value: Dinars
1993 1994 1995
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
718,366 53,274,179 1,485,746 100,027,318 1,478,760 100,944,485