In the context of a growing collaboration between Italy and Tunisia, Turin hosted an important meeting aimed at strengthening the economic ties between the two nations. The meeting, called “Tunisia: A Gateway to Africa”, was held thanks to the initiative of theTurin Industrial Union and Chamber of Commerce of Turin, in collaboration with the Tunisian Embassy in Rome and Fipa Invest in Tunisia.
Over 120 Piedmontese companies took part in the event, signaling a concrete interest in the opportunities offered by the Tunisian market. Among the main speakers, the regional assessor for Finance and Internationalization, Andrew Tronzano, and Giorgia Garola, vice president of the Turin Industrial Union, who underlined the strategic importance of Tunisia for Italian companies, especially in a complex geopolitical context.
Tunisia: a gateway to Africa and a strategic partner for Italy
During the meeting, the Tunisian ambassador to Italy, Mourad Bourehla, reiterated the importance of Tunisia as ““privileged gateway” to sub-Saharan Africa, underlining the fundamental role of Italy as a strategic partner of the country. Italy, which has always supported Tunisia in its democratic transition process, is today the second largest investor in the country, after France. Only in 2023, the Italian companies have launched 164 investment projects, creating 3.074 jobs, while bilateral trade between the two countries reached two billion euros. In total, 990 Italian companies present in Tunisia, with over 83 thousand direct employees and a turnover of 1,1 billion euros.
“Together we can build a future of shared prosperity based on common values of cooperation, innovation and sustainable development” explained the Tunisian ambassador. “Italy has always been a strategic partner supporting the country in its democratic transition, and this support has been demonstrated with bilateral meetings between leaders and ministers” he added, underlining how “bilateral trade has grown significantly in recent years, up to two billion euros. TheItaly is one of the main suppliers of goods to Tunisia in the chemical mechanical industry while importing consumer goods, textiles and manufacturing”. This is because, Ambassador Bouhrela stressed, Tunisia “has initiated important reforms to simplify trade procedures and encourage the creation of businesses”.
Italian investments in Tunisia are characterised by a “local to local” approach, with a particular focus on the high technological specialization that the country is developing. According to data from Fipa Invest in Tunisia, the technology sector has seen an 8% annual growth, placing Tunis first in North Africa for scientific and technical research and thirteenth worldwide, as indicated by the World Innovation Index 2020. This economic and technological dynamism, together with the presence of over 2.200 ICT companies, makes Tunisia a hub of innovation and industrial development on the African continent.
An opportunity for Piedmontese businesses
“This meeting represents an important moment to consolidate economic relations between our two countries,” he explained. Giorgia Garola, vice-president with responsibility for internationalisation of the Turin Industrial Union, while the next step to consolidate economic relations between the two countries will be the business mission scheduled for November, during which Piedmontese companies will have the opportunity to meet Tunisian companies and institutions through B2B meetings. “Tunisia” explains Garola “is a natural production platform for our businesses committed to diversifying their activities and penetrating new markets in the Maghreb, sub-Saharan Africa and the Gulf. These are characteristics that are even more important today, in a geopolitical moment that presents critical issues in many areas of the world".
Key sectors for Italian companies in Tunisia
Il technological sector is not the only one to attract the interest of Italian companies. In Tunisia, in addition to the ICT sector, other economic sectors offer ample opportunities. The automotive sector, for example, has 280 companies, 65% of which operate exclusively on international markets. Germany is the main destination for Tunisian exports in the automotive sector, with 37%, followed by France (21%), Romania (12%) and Italy (11%). Since 2010, the number of employees in the sector has more than doubled, reaching 90 thousand workers. Similarly, the aeronautical sector has seen a constant growth of 8% per year, today employing 17 thousand people.
Other sectors of interest to Italian investors include textile, pharmaceutical, renewable energy and agri-food. The presence of Italian companies in these sectors is favored by a series of reforms introduced by Tunisia to simplify commercial procedures and encourage the creation of new businesses. The protection of intellectual property, the simplification of customs procedures and a series of tax breaks make Tunisia an attractive destination for foreign investment.
Incentives and support for Italian companies
Tunisia is made even more interesting for Italian investors by its wide range of incentives available. Among these, one stands out Simest's new measure for Africa, which provides a reserve of 200 million euros at a preferential rate of 0,5% for six years. This fund is intended for both professional training and the purchase or leasing of machinery, equipment for production use, plants and capital goods, including the strengthening or reconversion of existing technologies. In addition, the Tunisian government offers a series of incentives for businesses who decide to settle in the country, such as the deduction of income from industrial activity and the partial coverage of infrastructure expenses.
