The 6th International Conference "Financing Investment and Trade in Africa (FITA 2023)" will be held in Tunis from September 20 to 21, on the initiative of the Tunisia Africa Business Council (TABC) under the patronage of the Head of State, said TABC President Anis Jaziri. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Jaziri said that this conference, originally scheduled for May 2023, is of great importance as the world is facing major challenges, mainly multifaceted upheavals, multidimensional economic crises, conflicts, in particular in Ukraine, and the risk of a looming war in the Sahel region, which could have a negative impact on Tunisia and the African continent. Placed under the theme "Africa in the midst of a global crisis and the role of the private sector in sustainable and inclusive economic transformation", this conference aims to reassure African nations by sending a message to them and to the whole world that Tunisia remains a welcoming country for Africans from sub-Saharan Africa. Tunisia is a non-racist African country that offers an investment-friendly environment and will continue to contribute to the development of the continent, Jaziri added. "This is a great opportunity for Tunisia to dispel the rumours that have sought to tarnish its reputation in recent months," he stressed. Through this event, Tunisian companies based in Africa will seek to reposition themselves after the damage they have suffered. This 6th edition will be attended by 3,000 participants, including 750 foreign business leaders from 60 countries and 70 exhibitors. 2,000 B2B meetings will take place during the event. In particular, FITA will be attended by large delegations from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cameroon, Niger and France. "Tunisia has a huge potential to increase its exports to the South African market, which have increased from TND 500 million to TND 1.5 billion since 2015, representing 3% of Tunisia's total exports to countries around the world." TABC board member Nadia Yaiche said this conference will highlight the key role of the private sector in the economy. It is an opportunity for investors and start-ups looking to enter African markets to explore these markets and learn about their specificities. Yaiche recalled the main obstacles hindering the development process of Tunisian companies in Africa, including the absence of economic diplomatic missions, air logistics, double taxation agreements (only 13 non-double taxation agreements have been signed) and the inflexibility of foreign exchange regulations, which block exports and the opening of companies in Africa. France will be the Guest of Honour at FITA 2023. Its participation will focus on issues related to electrification, decarbonisation and energy transition in Africa. Michel Bauza, Director of Business France in Tunisia for North Africa, pointed out that this event will bring together 8 African countries with operators in the electricity sector, such as STEG, ANME, French companies and research centres, to promote exchanges on issues, solutions and financing, as well as the launch of new projects. Several themes will be addressed during FITA 2023. They will focus on financing, climate and sustainable development, digital transformation, infrastructure, inter-African trade and regional integration.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse