WHY DO BUSINESS WITH TUNISIA ?

The prospects for major upgrading of Tunisia’s manufacturing sector are good, thanks in particular to the upgrading programme. Maintaining exports will depend on the capacity of companies to specialise in activities that can compete in the new context of free trade with the European Union.

Tunisia decided in the second half of the Nineties to modernise its industry. In conjunction with the Association Agreement, the EU is assisting the Tunisian government’s upgrading programme (Mise à Niveau) to enhance the productivity of Tunisian businesses.

TIn terms of sectoral opportunities, Tunisia has comparative advantages in various sectors, identified in strategic studies. In the following sectors, certain branches or niches of activity are considered of particular interest, with great potential:

Food products, Building materials, Metal and mechanical industries, Car parts, Electrical, electronic and household appliance industries, Chemical industries, Textiles and clothing, Leather and footwear industries, Other manufacturing products

In the tourism sector there is a vast hotel modernisation project to be carried out over seven years, which was launched in 2004, with financing needs estimated at TD 1.5 billion. International donors (TD 50 million from the Islamic Development Bank, FADES) are expected to contribute to this programme. Business opportunities are also available in the second phase of work, involving equipment and training. Regarding tourism infrastructure, many projects are in the pipeline (marinas, yacht clubs), likely to interest foreign investors, in particular management of marinas (coastal traffic, town navigation, adaptation of structures to meet customer demands).

Six new sectoral technopoles are being built throughout the country, each specialised in an area of particular relevance for the region in which it is located. The technopole at Borj Cedria is specialised in renewable energy, water, environment and plant biotechnology.  The technopole in Sidi Thabet is specialised in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.  The technopole in Sousse works in the mechanical, electronic, and computer sectors.

The Sfax technopole handles computer and multimedia activities.  The Monastir technopole focuses on textiles and clothing. The Bizerte technopole supports agrofood industries, with a food technology and sciences research centre and the national engineering school of Bizerte.