25 March 2017

"Tunisia has lagged far behind in capturing the African market, since it has contented itself, for many decades, with classical European markets, "said Mohamed Ettounsi, CEO of “Polymeres”, specialising in the compounding of technical plastics mainly for the electronics, electrical and automotive sectors.

Ettounsi, who was part of a delegation of Tunisian businessmen visiting Côte d'Ivoire, in the framework of the 6th edition of the National Days of Promotion of SMEs, added that "other countries have moved ahead of Tunisia in this market, particularly Morocco, Turkey, China and Lebanon. They have therefore taken advantage of the great opportunities offered by the African continent, which has about 300 million inhabitants.”

In this context, he considered that it would be important to diversify and multiply the number of economic delegations to the various African countries, with the aim of forming networks of political, economic and administrative relations that would facilitate capturing these countries’ markets.

Côte d'Ivoire, with 22 million citizens, has managed to achieve growth rates ranging between 8 and 10%, and it expects higher rates in the years to come.

This country presents itself as a field open to all sectors of activity and offers wide opportunities for investment and cooperation.

"A number of Tunisian companies have succeeded in acquiring contracts, including the Soroubat public works company", said the Ivorian Prime Minister who highlighted the Tunisian successes in his country.

The Confederation of Tunisian Citizen Enterprises (CONECT) is organizing, from 23 to 25 March, a visit of a delegation of Tunisian businessmen to the Ivorian capital Abidjan.

The delegation, led by Minister of Industry and Trade, Zied Laadhari, brings together a number of investors in several economic activities, including agri-food, health, public works, renewable Technologies and services.

© Tunis-Afrique Presse 2017