Search

Start your search

Tunisia: New vigour for cooperation

In early October, representatives from the Tunisian Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy (MIME) met with Manuel Palz, deputy head of division for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action’s Partnering in Business with Germany programme, in Tunis to plan future programme activities. In addition, talks were held with the German Embassy and the German-Tunisian Chamber of Industry and Commerce regarding upcoming programme activities.

The Tunisian Ministry of Economy’s Cabinet Leader Ahlem Beji emphasised the strong performance of Tunisian companies and welcomed the most recent corporate deals that arose from executives taking part in the programme in Leipzig in September. The coming year will also see important events take place with the partner country, such as the establishment of the first steering group, a ten-year anniversary of the start of cooperation and the renewal of the joint declaration between the countries. Tunisian entrepreneurs from the nutrition economy sector will also take part in the programme.

Germany is Tunisia’s third most important trade partner, with German imports to the country traditionally outnumbering exports. This is due to the fact that Tunisia is well embedded into German supply chains, especially in the automotive supplier and garment manufacturing sectors. Almost all German automotive suppliers in the country are currently expanding their production. Automotive manufacturers are also investing in local research and development. Current trends in Tunisia’s food industry also point to expansion. Drivers for this are a growing population and demand from abroad.

Manuel Palz visits the company Baeichek S.A. From left to right: Adnane Zidane (MIME), Manuel Palz (BMWK), Kamel Boussada (Baeichek) ©GIZ/Jörg Schreiber

The visit concluded with visits to the companies whose managers took part in the programme in September and have already established contacts in Germany. These include Kamel Boussada, CEO of Beaichek S.A., which engages in die cutting and manufactures and mounts injection moulding parts for the automotive, energy and aviation sectors. Boussada uses machinery acquired from the machinery manufacturing company Arburg GmbH of Baden-Württemberg at his company. He is planning to build extensions for his company in order to be able to acquire and utilise additional German machinery as his business continues to experience strong growth. Boussada also wants to expand his supplier services, and his company is currently manufacturing parts for German automotive producer BMW.

“We are happy to see partnerships expand and new partnerships form with the support of Partnering in Business with Germany. Entrepreneurs like Kamel Boussada who come together and make successful business deals with suitable German partners through their participation in the programme are proof of the success of the programme,” summarises Manuel Palz.

Download PDF