Tunisia offers Qatari firms investment opportunities in agri, aquaculture projects

As part of efforts to build stronger trade and economic ties with Qatar, Tunisia is inviting Qatari investors to participate in its agriculture and aquaculture projects worth $200mn, a Tunisian official has said.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a business meeting at the Qatar Chamber headquarters in Doha yesterday, Abdelmoumen Toukabri, the general administrator of Tunisia’s Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency, said the Tunisian delegation is looking for Qatari partners to big ticket projects in the North African country.
“We have many big projects in Tunisia worth $200mn and we are looking for investors in Qatar’s private sector to develop these projects, specifically in our agricultural and fishing sector,” Toukabri told Gulf Times.
He said nine companies and 45 private operators, mostly in the field of agriculture, have met with their Qatari counterparts during the meeting, which was led by Qatar Chamber vice-chairman Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari.
Toukabri also said many Tunisian food products can be developed and exported to Qatar, particularly olive oil, dates, fruits, vegetables, cultured and wild fish, tuna, chicken, and meat.
He noted that there is a “huge potential” to develop air and maritime cargo routes between Tunisia and Qatar. “I am optimistic that the current situation in the Gulf is a good opportunity for both countries to improve and strengthen trade and investment relationships,” he pointed out.
During the meeting, al-Kuwari said Qatari-Tunisian trade relations have witnessed “a remarkable development in recent years,” and stressed that the private sector of both countries are keen to increase trade exchange and strengthen partnerships.
Al-Kuwari also noted that Qatar Chamber is keen to enhance communication with Tunisia’s business community, and called on business owners from both countries to identify investment opportunities available in different sectors.
Toukabri, who called on the Qatari private sector to explore investment opportunities in Tunisia, noted that his country considers Doha as “an important” destination for Tunisian investments. He also said Tunisian products in the fresh food sector “are of high quality and conform to international standards.”
Also, a representative of the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries said the visitors of the ‘International Exhibition for Food and Consumer Industries’ “showed great response” to the Tunisian pavilion during the event. He stressed that the role of the ministry includes developing trade relations “with brotherly and friendly countries.”
A representative of Tunisia’s Namaa Association also revealed that joint Tunisian-Qatari investments will be launched soon, particularly in the field of plastics and raw materials, adding that the association seeks to expand cooperation with Qatari investors.