Tunisia Aims to Boost Appeal to Japanese Investors at Upcoming Forum

Tunisia is set to leverage the upcoming Tunis-Japan forum, scheduled for December, to strengthen its attractiveness to Japanese investors. Key sectors expected to be highlighted include renewable energy, automotive components, and information technology.

The initiative was discussed on September 30 in Tunis during a meeting between Saito Jun, the Japanese Ambassador to Tunisia, and Jalel Tebib, Director General of FIPA-Tunisia and Interim President of the Tunisia Investment Authority (TIA). The discussions focused on preparing for the forum and identifying strategies to effectively showcase Tunisia’s competitive advantages to Japanese business operators.

The Japanese delegation specifically proposed emphasizing Tunisia’s strategic geographic location, which serves as a bridge between European and African markets, as well as its skilled human capital across various industries.

Another key item on the agenda is the preparation of a bilateral investment agreement (BIA) between the two nations. According to Amira Klai, Director General of International Investment Conventions and Litigation at the Ministry of Economy and Planning, this agreement aims to enhance guarantees for economic operators and stimulate capital flows between Tunisia and Japan.

This momentum comes at a time when Japanese presence in Tunisia remains concentrated in several industrial activities, notably the electrical and electronic, mechanical, textile, and agri-food sectors. According to data cited by Tunisian authorities, recorded Japanese investments have reached €365 million, supporting nearly 16,000 jobs.