Chinese Business Leaders Express Interest in Investing in Tunisia
During the annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) held from June 24 to 26, 2025, in Beijing, several Chinese business leaders expressed their willingness to expand their activities in Tunisia, particularly in the fields of alternative energy, mining, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, infrastructure, and water management.
Meeting with Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning
The investors were received at the residence of the Tunisian Ambassador to Beijing, where they met with Samir Abdelhafidh, Minister of Economy and Planning, on the sidelines of the event. This meeting allowed the Minister to present investment opportunities in Tunisia, highlighting the country's competitive advantages, including its strategic geographic location, qualified human resources, and access to European-Mediterranean and African markets.
Strengthening Tunisian-Chinese Cooperation
In parallel with his participation in the AIIB meeting, the Minister held talks with several high-ranking Chinese officials, including Liao Min, Vice Minister of Finance, with whom he agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic sphere.
He also met with Jin Liqun, President of the AIIB. The discussions focused on the prospects for financial collaboration, with a view to mobilizing the bank's tools and mechanisms to finance Tunisian projects in priority sectors such as infrastructure, water, transportation, and renewable energy. A technical mission from the AIIB will soon be sent to Tunisia to examine ongoing programs.
Mobilizing Chinese Financial Institutions
Abdelhafidh continued his exchanges with several key players in Chinese financial cooperation, including:
- Liu Junfeng, Vice President of the Chinese Agency for International Development Cooperation
- Wang Pen, Vice Governor of the China Development Bank
- Yang Dongning, Vice President of the China Eximbank
These meetings allowed for the exploration of financial and technical mechanisms that these institutions can make available to support Tunisian development projects.
Huawei Interested in Expanding into Tunisia
On the private sector side, the Minister also met with representatives of Huawei, including its General Manager for the region, Jean Sun. The discussions focused on investment opportunities and expanding the company's activities in Tunisia, in a context favorable to technological innovation and digital transformation.
