Tunisia Lombardy Ways to develop economic co-operation examined

MILAN, May 20, 2009 - Lombard investments account for nearly 26% of the Italian investment in Tunisia.

Ways to boost Tunisian-Lombard investments, notably in the sectors of food industry, fresh farming produces, mechanical and electrical industry and handicrafts were the focus of a one-day information seminar held on Tuesday in Milan, capital of the Lombardy province.

Held under the theme “ Economic Relations between Tunisia and Lombardy, Buoyant Sectors,” the seminar, organised by Tunisia’s General Consulate in Milan, is part of Tunisia’s Week in Milan held on the 18th-24th instant.

Tunisia’s ambassador in Rome Habib Achour laid emphasis on the need to hoist Tunisian-Lombard relations to higher levels and make the most of the co-operation potential offered by the Lombardy province.

Counsellor in charge of handicrafts and services in the Lombardy province pointed out that Italy’s participation in the handicrafts creation exhibition, held last March in Tunis, had allowed Italian businessmen to get acquainted with the investment opportunities offered by the handicrafts sector in Tunisia.
Italy one of the major European investors in Tunisia with a share of FDI estimated at 9% in 2008

Head of the International Co-operation Department of the Lombardy Province Armano Boccalari pointed up the importance of diversifying co-operation fields between Tunisia and Lombardy to cover other high-added value economic sectors.

This seminar, which was attended by Tunisian and Lombard businessmen, made it possible to present different programmes devised by Tunisia to stimulate investment and boost employment.

Italy is one of the major European investors in Tunisia with a share of foreign direct investments (FDI) estimated at 9% in 2008 (exclusive of energy).

A study conducted by CEPEX on "Promising European Markets for Tunisia," has shown that the Italian region of Lombardy represents a foreign direct investment(FDI)-providing site to Tunisia.

Lombardy has 57,000 agricultural companies and 8,000 companies operating in food industry. Tunisia is the only Arab country which has offices and local support structures in Milan namely, CEPEX, the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) and the Tunisian National Tourism Board (ONTT).