– Japan has become the third investor in Tunisia after France and Italy, in the first half of 2021, said head of the Tunisian-Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hedi Ben Abbas, noting that the volume of investment reached 2.5 billion dollars, which is a “very staggering figure.” This is true, especially since investment companies employ about 20,000 Tunisian citizens, he further indicated.
Speaking at a press conference held by the Chamber Monday in Tunis, he shed light on Tunisia’s preparations to host the Tokyo International Conference on Development in Africa “TICAD 8”.
He added that a “white paper”that will include all projects related to several fields, such as health, training and fishing, to be presented to the Japanese and African sides is being prepared.
Ben Abbas pointed out that the main objective is to support the tripartite investment deal between Tunisia, Japan and Africa, especially in light of the climate of confidence enjoyed by Tunisia with the Japanese investors who see it as a promising business destination in the future.
Hedi Ben Abbas also said TICAD8 will be organised in the second half of 2022, noting that this is a historic opportunity, as Tunisia will be the African economic capital for 3 days.
He indicated that a road map has been drawn up by the private sector in Tunisia. It includes economic investment fields that characterize Tunisia, which are identified in 6 sectors, and will be presented to the Japanese partner.
He also placed emphasis on the value of the automotive and spare parts sector, citing “Yazaki”, which today provides more than 4,500 jobs in Bizerte and Gafsa, and “Sumitomo”, the Japanese company in Monastir that will employ 5,000 people.
More than 40 heads of state and government, in addition to private sector partners and many international and regional organisations, are expected to participate in the Tokyo Conference on African Development in 2022, and nearly 10,000 international participants among private sector operators in Japan and Africa will also be present.
The TICAD 8 summit also represents a major opportunity for sharing experiences in the fields of investment and economy, and for reviewing agreements related to Japanese investments in Africa, in light of the keenness to enhance areas of investment between Japan and Africa.
