The Tunisian-French economic meeting kicked off works on Thursday at the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) seat, under the theme: “Tunisian-French partnership for a regional innovation platform.”
Several members of the Tunisian and French governments are present at this event, which will be closed by French Prime Minister Jean Castex, who is on a two-day official visit to Tunisia.
During his welcoming speech, UTICA Vice-President and Co-Chairman of the France-Tunisia Business Council Hichem Elloumi recalled that France is Tunisia’s leading economic partner with a total of 1,500 enterprises and over 150,000 jobs.
France is also the first trade partner with 20% of exchanges and 26% of exports, he indicated.
The official underlined the need to further step up the partnership between the two countries, recalling that Tunisia boasts of internationally recognised competences in industry and value-added services (aeronautics, automobile, electronics, etc.) and digital technology.
He added in this regard, that technology and international development is one of the major challenges to be met under this strategic partnership between the two countries.
Referring to the global health crisis related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Elloumi affirmed that the acceleration of vaccination campaigns would allow enterprises to relatively resume their activities after a strong instability leading in some cases to the total shutdown.

Source: TAP News Agency