TUNISIE TRADENET chooses MGI to manage Tunisia’s Import Control System flows
By Jacob Puthenparambil
Tunisie TradeNet (TTN), a computer engineering company majority-controlled by the Tunisian government, has chosen MGI to manage all its EDI messages associated with Import Control System (ICS) operations via the M-customs service.
TTN has chosen a trusted partner for the management of EDI format ICS flows relating to Tunisia’s external trade to EU countries.
Since 1st January 2011, the date on which European ICS customs regulations came into effect, Tunisian exporters have had to declare all goods exported to EU member states.
Since then, MGI has positioned itself as a key partner of TTN in managing its customers’ ICS flows via its M-customs service. The M-customs communications platform enables the needs of Tunisian customers to be met by adapting to the technological level of every operator: those using EDI and those opting to enter data via the M-customs web form.
TTN and MGI officially sealed their collaboration by signing a contract on Friday 19 October, during the 2nd Mediterranean port professionals’ forum organised by the Union Maritime pour la Méditerranée (UMM – Maritime Union for the Mediterranean) held in Marseille.
Khaled Marzouk, CEO of TTN and François Mahé des Portes, President of the MGI Executive Board, signed the contract at the end of their joint presentation on information systems.
François Mahé des Portes explains: “Since 2006 TTN and MGI have been exchanging computerised manifest (e-manifest) data. Well before the introduction of the European security regulations, TTN and MGI had already tested ICS data exchanges via M-customs. MDI feels that the need for reliable, meticulous and visionary partners in the Mediterranean, where the geographical and economic situation calls for speed, precision and traceability, is a policy that needs no explanation.”
Alain Perez, IT Manager and M-customs Project Manager adds: “Signing this contract has cemented our collaboration with TTN and rewards our perseverance in implementing innovative solutions such as M-customs”.
Mr Marzouk goes on: “With help from the port and customs authorities, TTN and MGI have proved that innovation and perfection can extend beyond borders and that pooling shared experience remains the key to a sustainable partnership”.
Today, Tunisia’s ICS flows are principally intended for France, Spain and Italy and involve a large number of beneficiaries. Other destination countries will gradually be added as and when necessary.
M-customs is the 1st module of the MareNostrum communications platform launched by MGI in September 2005.
The goal of MareNostrum is to promote paper-free external trade via electronic data exchanges in order to:
• implement European and International regulations aimed at strengthening safety and security
• accelerate the circulation of goods by controlling the accuracy of information exchanged
MGI’s goal is to continue to work with public and private stakeholders in both Europe and the Maghreb countries with a view to simplifying in concrete terms the trade of goods in every country in Europe or the Maghreb. This is also the objective of any modern State mindful of its residents’ well-being and control of its trade.
