Reported investment in industry reached 724 million dinars, against 995.3 million in first quarter of 2020, down 27.3%, according to data from the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (APII).
The number of projects declared reached 970 against 957 a year earlier, up 1.4%. These projects will create 14 thousand jobs, against 14,561 jobs during the first three months 2020, a decrease of 3.8%.
It should be noted that 61% of investments reported in the first three months of the year 2021 are in the context of projects of extension and renewal of equipment.
The investments reported under projects of creation fell from 582.8 million dinars during the end of March 2020 to 284.6 million in the first three months of the year 2021, recording a decline of 51.2%.
The investments reported under projects other than creation (extension, renewal of equipment…) reached 439.4 million dinars, against 412.5 million in the first three months of the year 2020, up 6.5%.
The number of these projects has increased by 26.9% and related jobs have risen from 6,908 jobs to 8,481 last year (+22.8%).
The investments reported in fully exporting industries saw an increase of 68.8% from 191.4 million dinars to 323.1 million.
In contrast, industries whose production is oriented to the local market recorded a decline of 50.1%, from 803.9 to 400.9 million dinars.
The increase in reported investments in fully exporting industries is due mainly to the sectors of food processing industries, mechanical and electrical industries, chemical industries and textile and clothing industries.
In addition, investments relating to projects whose cost is higher than 5 million dinars went down 41.4% from 764.2 million during the first three months of 2020 to 447.5 million at the end of last March. These projects will create 3,045 jobs, compared to 5,588 jobs in the first three months of the year 2020, a decrease of 45.5%.
Industrial investments with 100% foreign participation and in partnership fell from 365.3 million dinars to 322 million, recording a decline of 11.9%. This decline is the result of the decrease of 40% recorded at the level of 100% foreign projects.
In contrast, partnership investments were marked by an increase of 239.7% to 125 million dinars.
The first three months of the year 2021 were characterized by a 26% decline in investment reported in regional development areas with 418.6 million dinars invested against 565.6 million during the same period of the year 2020. The share of these areas in all governorates has risen from 56.8% to 57.8%.
The decrease thus recorded in the level of investments reported in regional development areas is attributable mainly to the governorates of Tataouine (-97%), Gafsa (-93%), Jendouba (-93%), Sidi Bouzid (-83.4%) and Kairouan (-44.6%).
