2000 participants and 150 lecturers from more than 60 African and Asian countries and funding institutions
President of the Tunisian-African Business Council, Anis Jaziri, presented on Monday afternoon the details of the program of the eighth session of the Conference on “Financing Investment and Trade in Africa – FITA 2025” ”, to be hosted in Tunis on May 6 and 7 with the participation of 2000 businessmen and owners of institutions from 60 countries, the majority of which are mostly African, in addition to participants from India, Indonesia, South Korea, China and for the first time Pakistan.
Jaziri explained that five African countries will be the guest of honor at this session, which coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Tunisian-African Business Council in 2015. These countries, namely the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar and Guinea Conakry, will be honored through “investment sessions” that specialize in highlighting the opportunities available in these countries.
Jaziri added that high-level government officials, ministers, and leaders of international and regional financial institutions will be present at the conference along with other influential figures from the public and private sectors, reflecting the strategic and international dimension of this important economic event.
For the first time, FITA PITCH DAYS, an initiative for innovative entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to a panel of international investors and funding institutions, including the heads of African banks attending the conference for the first time.
Regarding the regional and international situation in which the conference is taking place, Anis Jaziri explained that the current struggle between the United States and China for control of global markets, especially the African market, represents an important opportunity for Tunisian industrialists, investors and businessmen to seize opportunities and seek a foothold in the African market and work to make Tunisia a gateway for many parties to the African market within the framework of trilateral cooperation and a launchpad, especially towards sub-Saharan Africa.
He noted that Tunisia’s exports to Africa have relatively increased from 500 million dinars in 2015 to 1.5 billion dinars, but they remain weak compared to the available potential, stressing the possibility of at least tripling them.
Jaziri noted the remarkable presence of women during this event, which emphasizes the role that African women have come to play in the economy and development of the continent.
The conference highlights the major challenges and growth drivers on the continent as they are fully aligned with Africa’s strategic priorities for sustainable development, such as industrial transformation, energy transition, digitization, infrastructure modernization and logistics, noting in this regard that the logistics aspect of maritime transport, a deep-water port and direct air links are among the most important challenges faced by Tunisian businessmen.
In preparation for the days of the conference, which will be held under the supervision of the President of the Republic, which will include 14 high-level seminars, 10 specialized side events and 7 technical workshops, registration will open next week on the digital platform for bilateral meetings between Tunisian businessmen and women and their counterparts from other African countries, financing institutions and government representatives. 3,000 bilateral meetings are expected to take place between Tunisian business owners and their counterparts from participating countries.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Dhouha Talik – English: NejiMed)
