Tunisia Hosts Inaugural SALMA Dialogue Business Forum, Fostering Cooperation between Africa, Latin America, and Europe
On January 23, Tunisia welcomed the first edition of the SALMA Dialogue Business Forum, a major initiative aimed at strengthening dialogue and cooperation between Africa, Latin America, and Europe.
The automotive industry, a key sector for Tunisia, took center stage at the event. Myriam Elloumi, President of the Tunisian Automotive Association (TAA), highlighted the importance of the partnership between Tunisia and Europe, particularly with Germany and France, which absorb 36% and 23% of Tunisia's automotive exports, respectively. "If the German and French automotive industries suffer, we suffer too," she emphasized, stressing the need to reinforce this collaboration in the face of current challenges.
Indeed, the European automotive sector is going through a difficult period, marked by geopolitical tensions, increased competition from Asia, and growing protectionism. To address this, Elloumi advocates for increased collaboration between Tunisian and European businesses, identifying synergies and complementarities. "We need to help each other; we will survive together," she declared, recalling that Tunisia has always been a reliable and competitive partner for Europe.
Tunisia: A Hub of Competences and Innovation
Beyond its role as a component supplier, Tunisia is increasingly positioning itself as a hub of competences and innovation in the automotive sector. "We have more and more soft development, particularly in artificial intelligence, located in Tunisia," explained Myriam Elloumi. She also highlighted Tunisia's academic competences, which can be shared with neighboring countries, as well as the local industrial fabric's ability to create value and develop new activities.
With an integration rate of 42%, Tunisia is capable of providing high-quality components to any car manufacturer. "We can help any manufacturer, and that remains our dream," she affirmed, while stressing that integration with the African market could reduce dependence on Europe.
Towards an Integrated African Automotive Market
One of the highlights of Myriam Elloumi's intervention was her plea for the development of the African automotive market. She noted that Tunisia is well-positioned to play a key role in this dynamic, thanks to its competences, innovation, and ability to produce high-quality components.
She cited the example of Volkswagen, which has recently invested in Egypt, opening up opportunities for Tunisian businesses to supply components. "When things don't go well on one side, we need to try to turn around and see who our other neighbors are," she declared, emphasizing the importance of strengthening intra-African trade.
For Myriam Elloumi, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) project is a strategic lever to boost the African automotive market. "By removing customs barriers and promoting trade between African countries, we can really boost this market," she explained. She also called for better collaboration between African countries to localize the transformation of raw materials and reduce dependence on Europe.
A Promising Future Despite Challenges
Despite current challenges, Myriam Elloumi remains optimistic about the future of the Tunisian automotive sector. She recalled that Tunisia has performing businesses and a dynamic industrial fabric, capable of adapting to market evolutions. "We are in a challenging period, but that's exactly why we need to remember how to be more competitive," she concluded.
