French companies will have a much more direct dialogue with Tunisian government
Some thirty French businessmen met on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) members of the Chahed government to discuss ways to boost French investment in Tunisia. In a statement to TAP, French ambassador Olivier Poivre d’Arvor said French companies have not had such a direct dialogue with the Tunisian government before. The objective of the meeting is to bring French business leaders and members of the Tunisian government in direct contact, he said. According to the ambassador, it is an approach that allows asking questions about technical and administrative constraints. This meeting will be a milestone in the relationship between Tunisian and French investors, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor said. Minister of Trade and Industry Zied Laadhari said the meeting is an opportunity to listen to foreign investors and identify obstacles and difficulties. Laadhari reminded that 14% of the industries established in Tunisia are French, i.e. one third of foreign companies in Tunisia. “Fresh foreign investments in Tunisia will give ordinary citizen and unemployed young people hope for a better future,” he said. Eric Hayat, President Of the French-Tunisian Council of Entrepreneurs affirmed that the French Development Agency (AFD) will invest more than € 1 billion in Tunisia, i.e. about € 250 million per year.