India and Tunisia have taken a significant step toward strengthening economic ties with the launch of the inaugural India–Tunisia Joint Business Forum (JBF) at the Sheraton Tunis Hotel. The initiative, hosted by the Embassy of India, aims to deepen bilateral trade and investment by creating a structured platform for sustained business engagement between the two nations.
The forum was formally established through an agreement signed between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Confédération of Citizen Enterprises of Tunisia (CONECT). The signing ceremony was followed by business-to-business (B2B) meetings, allowing companies from both countries to explore potential partnerships and commercial opportunities.
The JBF will facilitate regular interactions, including virtual meetings every six months and annual physical gatherings, to exchange expertise, identify new business opportunities, and provide policy inputs to both governments.
Strengthening Bilateral Economic Cooperation
H.E. Dr. Devyani U. Khobragade, Ambassador of India to Tunisia, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the vast potential for expanding trade and investment. She noted ongoing discussions with Tunisian authorities to streamline long-term business visas, which would ease business travel and encourage greater commercial exchanges. The Ambassador also stressed the importance of high-level political visits to further enhance cooperation.
H.E. Mr. Najmeddine Lakhal, Director of the Asia Department at Tunisia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, attended as the Guest of Honour. He highlighted cooperation opportunities in priority sectors including agriculture, renewable energy, water management, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and digital technologies. Lakhal also called for the conclusion of a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and exploration of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to strengthen trade, joint ventures, and technology transfer.
Key Stakeholders and Business Leaders
The event saw participation from senior Tunisian officials, including Mr. Aslan Berjeb, President of CONECT; Mr. Jalel Tebib, President of the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency of Tunisia (FIPA); and Mr. Mourad Ben Hassine, CEO of the Centre de Promotion des Exportations (CEPEX). The Indian business delegation was led by Mr. Gaurav Dhingra, CEO of AXIEVA, an Indian ICT firm.
Diplomatic Push for Trade Agreements
During the CII delegation’s visit, Ambassador Khobragade held meetings with Tunisia’s Minister of Industry, Mines & Energy, Minister of Economy & Planning, and Minister of Trade & Export Development. She underscored the need to diversify bilateral commercial cooperation to achieve the USD 1 billion trade target and reiterated the importance of finalizing a PTA, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), and BIT.
The Ambassador also emphasized the urgency of convening the next Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) this year. The JCM, co-chaired at the foreign ministerial level, serves as the highest bilateral mechanism guiding cooperation across diverse sectors. The last JCM was held in New Delhi in October 2017.
A New Chapter in India-Tunisia Relations
The successful launch of the India–Tunisia Joint Business Forum marks a pivotal moment in bilateral economic engagement, bringing together private sectors from both nations under a dedicated framework for sustained dialogue and cooperation.
With growing interest in sectors ranging from renewable energy to digital technologies, the forum is expected to unlock new avenues for trade, investment, and innovation, reinforcing the long-standing partnership between India and Tunisia.
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