Tunisian economic operators are urged to tap into opportunities offered by the Nigerien market, ” said Director General of consulting firm AZ Conseil à l’export et à l’investissement Riadh Azaiz.
The Nigerien market is attracting a large number of Tunisian experts, particularly in services and consulting, he further said Thursday at the Tunisia-Niger Partnership Forum held on the sidelines of the 15th International Exhibition of Agriculture, Agricultural Machinery and Fisheries (SIAMAP 2021). The number of Tunisian consultants in Niger rose in a single year from 70 to 300 currently.
Azaiz said Niger’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Youth Entrepreneurship Gado Sabo Moctar, who is currently in Tunisia, visited two Tunisian factories and expressed the hope to see the new dyanmics of cooperation lead to the creation of a core of Tunisian investors in Niamey.
This forum is an opportunity for Tunisian operators to exploit the underdeveloped Nigerien market and learn about the cooperation framework between the two countries and practical procedures to access the market (funding), said Director of Cooperation with Africa at the Trade Ministry Chaouki Jebali.
Tunisian exports to Niger remain derisory as they represent less than 1% of Tunisian exports to Africa. Tunisia mainly exports pasta, electrical cables and mechanical equipment. Niger is Tunisia’s 16th customer in Africa and its 49th supplier.
Director General of the Maison de l’Entreprise Kaoura Bachir. said Niger boasts a very attractive business climate. Several reforms were introduced to this end. Niger posts a steady growth rate of 5% and a 2% inflation rate.
The Nigerien official said his country has potential in the mining and oil sectors, agriculture, energy and infrastructure.