APIP Agricultural Policy Implementation Project

6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECONNENDATIONS
This section enumerates the principal conclusions and recommendations of
the study. It begins by listing major assets and constraints facing
participants in the Tunisian cut flower export sector. This list is followed by
a detailed set of recommendations centered on the formation of an association of
flower exporters.
6.1. Conclusions: Assets and Constraints
The cut flower sector inTunisia is small and experimental. There are only
half a dozen producer/exporters of cut flowers in the country. It appears that
these growers benefit from a number of "natural" advantages, such as good
climate, adequate soils, sufficient irrigation water and proximity to the export
market. In addition to these dssets, it is clear the Government of Tunisia has
begun to make important policy and regulatory changes which are increasing the
appeal of agricultural exports, including flowers, for investors. These changes
include:
0 Simplification of export procedures
0 Reimbursement of export and TVA taxes on flowers
0 Reduction of cargo rates of Tunis Air
0 Assistance to potential investors and exporters through APIA and
CEPEX
On a less tangible level the Tunisian public sector appears to be
interested inworking with private enterprises. This interest in cooperation was
evident at the Roundtable on Floriculture held in Tunis in October 1990 where
representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, CEPEX, APIA, Customs, and Tunis
Air met with current and potential flower exporters to discuss ways to facilitate
and increase flower exports.
These advantages are balanced by problems in areas such as infrastructure,
market information, government procedures, and technical knowledge. The principal
constraints are:
* Lack of organized air cargo shipments for flowers;
* Lack of cold storage at the Tunis airport;
• Little technical information available from extension services;
• Insufficient knowledge of the European flower market;
* Inadequate postharvest handling procedures;
* An inexperienced labor force;
• Delayed reimbursement of export tax payments;
• Very limted access to credit, short and long-term; and
0 Restrictions on import of special pesticides for flowers.
Two major conclusions drawn from this review of the Tunisian cut flower
export sector:
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