Maltese businesses gaining foothold in Tunisia

A 22-strong business delegation organised by Malta Enterprise registered encouraging business prospects following successful meetings held in Tunisia, with some of the delegates being close to reaching business deals or cooperation agreements.

The business delegation, which met around 100 Tunisian enterprises during its five-day stay, comprised companies operating in sectors such as professional services, engineering, building and construction, food and beverages, ICT, chemicals, tools as well as environmental services.

A number of delegates had already formed part of other business delegations organised by Malta Enterprise to Tunisia last year and were following up on the leads they had established at the time, while others were visiting the neighbouring market for the first time and were thus exploring the business opportunities it offers.

One-to-one meetings for the Maltese companies with their Tunisian counterparts were organised by Malta Enterprise in collaboration with the Maltese Embassy in Tunis and the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (API) with the support of the Centre de Promotion des Exportations de la Tunisie (CEPEX) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA).

While in Tunis, the business delegation also attended the inauguration of the Tunisia Investment Forum. Now in its second edition, this year's Tunisia Investment Forum focused on the challenges spawned by the revolution and the opportunities that the new Tunisia offers for international investment.

A planned visit to Sousse, where other business to business meetings were envisaged to take place, was not held for precautionary reasons and was instead replaced by additional meetings and networking sessions in Tunis.

Forming part of the initiatives being taken to strengthen the commercial ties between the two neighbouring countries, the business delegation follows up on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Malta Enterprise and CEPEX and the organisation of two business delegations to Tunisia last year, as well as an incoming Tunisian delegation that visited Malta earlier this year with particular attention on the food and beverage industry.

The business delegation was also supported by the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, the General Retailers and Traders Union and the Gozo Business Chamber.