Tunisia's leather and footwear exports Up 8.9%

Tunisia''s exports of the leather and footwear industries posted a rise of 8.9% in the first ten months of 2011, going up from 796.9 million Tunisian dinars (MTD), in 2010, to 868.1 MTD. Imports rose by 9.1% reaching 556.9 MTD, compared to 510.5 MTD in the same period of 2010. The trade balance posted a coverage rate of 155.9%. According to the monthly October 2011 information bulletin of the National Leather and Footwear Centre quoted today by the Tunisian press agency (TAP), growth in the sector''s exports is explained by the increase recorded in leather goods whose exports were up 50.7% (117.4 MTD) and leather clothing 73.6% (12.5 MTD). Regarding Tunisia''s customers, Italy comes first with 46.6% of the overall exports, i.e., 404.4 MTD. France ranks second with a 21.3% growth from 212.4 MTD to 257.7 MTD in 2011, i.e., 29.7% of the overall exports. Germany, Spain and Hong-Kong rank third, fourth and fifth, respectively, with 96.3 MTD, 14 MTD and 7.8 MTD, despite their declines. Tunisia''s largest supplier is Italy with 252.6 MTD, i.e., with 45.4% of total imports. France with 129.7 MTD, i.e., 23.3%, and Germany with 59 MTD, i.e., 10.6%, rank second and third. China and Germany came fourth and fifth with 23 MTD and 21.2 MTD, respectively. (QNA) f l