Speech by UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein, Tunis, Tunisia, 22 March 2018
His Excellency Omar BEHI, Minister of Commerce of the Republic of Tunisia
His Excellency Radhouane AYARA, Minister of Transport of the Republic of Tunisia
His Excellency Mohamed Anouar MAAROUF, Minister of Communication Technologies and Digital Economy of the Republic of Tunisia
Mr. Moez CHAKCHOUK, President and CEO of the Tunisian Post
Distinguished participants and facilitators,
My colleagues from the International Bureau,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a tremendous pleasure to be with you again today to address this high-level workshop dedicated to the theme of “easy export”.
Just one year ago, I was here to launch Easy Export at the first Tunisian National Forum on Export Facilitation, held at the Hotel Le Regency in Gammarth.
That was a truly memorable day for us all.
I remember there were several other African countries there attending the PAPU meeting.
We were also fortunate to have the authorities from different institutions who work with small businesses, and the Tunisian export process.
As a symbol of our collective commitment, and a recognition of our deep sense of partnership, the entire Tunisian Easy Export National Coordination Commission held hands.
I saw this as a powerful demonstration that this project is a joint project—a national project—firmly founded on the fundamental contributions of every institution.
These institutions include the Ministry of Communications Technology and Digital Economy, the Customs Authority, the Postal Service—La Poste Tunisienne— the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Central Bank, Tunisie TradeNet, and many others.
All of these bodies have joined forces, united by a common desire to succeed.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We agreed the ambitious target of just one year to develop this project and we have accomplished that.
You accomplished that!
Now, one year later, and thanks to your dedication and determination, we have a clear Tunisian Easy Export solution.
Just as importantly, we are here in Tunis today to approve this Easy Export process.
A unique process, one that differs from all other Easy Exports in the world.
On our collective journey, we have worked side-by-side, we have shared experiences, and we have learned from each other.
The Universal Postal Union is proud to have supported you in this process, but our work continues.
There are action plans, and a need to move forward on specific actions, while being mindful of the deadlines, indicators and resources necessary for successful delivery.
Today’s meeting is designed to approve these far reaching plans, including the assignment and acceptance of responsibilities.
However, we must make every effort to ensure that resources—physical, financial, expertise, and processes—are in place.
Our overarching goal is to provide Tunisian small businesses, including craftsman, with a channel to the postal service so that they can expand their products to other countries and introduce greater wealth, prosperity and development.
I say this because our work on Easy Exports is closely connected to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, especially Goal 8.3 on development-orientated policies supporting decent job creation, and Goal 17.11 on doubling exports from developing countries.
Goals on job creation and exports, symbolize the UPU’s own commitment to help generate creativity and innovation across postal operations, and in so doing, support the 2030 Agenda and lifting people out of poverty and delivering life changing opportunities.
Let me also make one final remark about UPU, in September, we will hold an extraordinary Congress in Addis Ababa that will continue to reinforce our activities on behalf of member states, postal operators and the people of the world.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As the Director-General, I am proud to tell you that UPU will continue to work with you in the spirit of partnership and close cooperation.
This is why we are signing an amendment to the memorandum designed to renew joint responsibilities, and to begin the project`s crucial second phase.
I thank you for inviting me today, and I look forward to working with you in the future.