Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Marwa Saidi
Published on 2024-04-19 09:40:25
Niamey is preparing to host the Niger-Tunisia economic forum, which will bring together several Tunisian and Nigerian businessmen. This significant event will be an opportunity to explore investment opportunities in promising sectors and discuss ways to increase the exchange of exported products between the two countries. The program includes B2B meetings and site visits.
Mandated by the Economic Interest Group GIE Tunisia Niger Development, the export and investment advisory firm AZ is organizing an economic mission to Niamey, Niger from May 4th to 9th. This initiative, supported by major Tunisian actors such as Cepex, Tunisair, the National Chamber of Export Consultants, Tunisia Business, and Tunipages, as well as renowned Nigerian partners such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Niger, Bagri, Sonibank, the National Order of Architects of Niger, the Order of Doctors of Niger, and the Association of Medical Representatives, promises fruitful collaboration between the two countries. The event will be held under the patronage of the Minister of Trade and Industry of Niger, Seydou Asman, with the desired joint patronage of his Tunisian counterpart. Participation in this forum is still open to all businessmen eager to explore partnership opportunities with their Nigerian counterparts. The mission involves thirty companies, twenty of which have confirmed their participation to date. With a rich program of meetings and exchanges, this economic mission will be an opportunity to explore investment opportunities in both countries, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, agro-industry, hydraulics, energy and mining, banking and insurance, pharmaceutical industry, medical and travel assistance agencies, higher education and vocational training, digital technology, architecture, urban planning, public works, textiles, and second-hand clothing. The Tunisian and Nigerian delegations will also discuss ways to overcome obstacles to the establishment of several Tunisian investors in Niamey. According to the organizers, this essential meeting, aimed at consolidating a win-win partnership between investors from both countries, aims to stimulate the exchange of exported products and expertise. Among the expected goals of the forum, the organizers mention: facilitating more student enrollments in Tunisian higher schools and training centers; developing joint Tunisian-Nigerian professional training centers and offices in Niamey; fostering better partnerships in the health sector, supporting agricultural production in Niger, and establishing a core group of at least four Tunisian industrialists in Niamey.
Why a forum in Niamey?
With still modest commercial exchanges (10.2 million dollars), bilateral trade between the two countries presents enormous growth potential. Indeed, despite not sharing common borders, Niger has historical relations with Tunisia. With a population of over 25 million, nearly half of whom are under 15 years old (49.1%), this agricultural country, whose economy is mainly based on agriculture and livestock, represents a promising market. It has significant natural resources such as uranium, gold, iron, coal, and oil. Furthermore, according to the United Nations Development Program, Niger is considered one of the most emerging countries.
To attract investors, Niger has implemented incentivizing measures, including tax incentives in several areas such as agriculture and mining. The close economic ties between the two countries are also evident in the presence of the Tunisian bank STB, which still holds a prominent position in the shareholding of Sonibank, the leading bank in Niger. Tunisair is one of the eight airlines serving Niamey with two weekly frequencies and is considering doubling this number. According to the forum organizers, all mentioned sectors offer comfortable growth margins in both directions, making this economic mission an essential event for entrepreneurs and investors eager to seize the opportunities offered by this dynamic bilateral collaboration.
Read the original article(French) on La Presse Tunisie
