Minister of the Economy and Planning, Samir Saïed, met Korean Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Choo Kyung-ho and representatives of several Korean companies as part of his participation in the 7th Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Ministerial Conference.
The meeting, which was also attended by the Tunisian ambassador in Seoul, allowed both parties to underline the determination of the two countries' governments to strengthen economic cooperation and expand its areas in the service of common interests, according to a press release issued on Friday by the Ministry of Economy.
Saïed presented the broad outlines of Tunisia's strategic vision for 2035, including the programmes and projects included in the 2023-2025 development plan.
The Minister of Economy also highlighted the reforms that have been adopted and are being finalised to further improve the investment and business climate. He highlighted Tunisia's advantages, in particular its strategic geographical location, which makes it a gateway to many regional areas, particularly Africa, and the country's wealth of skilled human resources.
Saïed reviewed the promising areas and sectors that offer real investment and partnership opportunities, including renewable and clean energy, waste water recycling, mechanical and electronic industries, pharmaceutical industries, communications and information technologies, among others.
He also invited the Korean Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance and Korean companies to participate in the International Investment Conference to be held in Tunisia at the beginning of December 2023 and to learn about the opportunities available to strengthen and consolidate economic cooperation between the two countries and to encourage Korean investment in Tunisia.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Minister of Economy and Planning also met with the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Akinwumi Adessina.
During this meeting, the two parties discussed technical and financial cooperation between Tunisia and the Bank, as well as the action programme for the coming period, particularly with regard to the creation of an entrepreneurship bank for young people in Tunisia and the development of the grain system through the conclusion of tripartite agreements between the AfDB, Tunisia and an African country. The aim is also to benefit from the Bank's new innovative financing mechanisms in this area, in addition to support for the pharmaceutical industry.
Adessina reiterated the Bank's willingness to continue supporting Tunisia in the implementation of its reform programmes and to contribute to the realisation of priority development projects.
The Minister of Economy and Planning also held bilateral meetings with a number of executives from a number of Korean companies operating mainly in the industrial and technological sectors. On this occasion, the advantages and opportunities of investing in Tunisia were highlighted.
In the same context, the Tunisian minister held talks with the Vice-President of the Korea EximBank, the President of the Busan City Technology Cluster, the President of Hyosung Heavy Industries and the Director-General of the External Cooperation Development Bureau at the Korean Institute of Technological and Environmental Industries.
The meetings provided an opportunity to examine ways of strengthening cooperation and partnership between Tunisia and these institutions, while reaffirming the will to develop relations, particularly in the fields of research, technological innovation, ecological and environmental sciences, and to benefit from Korean expertise in these vital sectors.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse