Tunisia’s Minister of Economy, Finance, and Investment Support, Ali al-Kaali, lauded Qatar’s successful investments in the North African country during the Qatari-Tunisian Business Forum held at Qatar Chamber Tuesday.
Qatar Chamber chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim al-Thani met with al-Kaali and his accompanying delegation, as well as Tunisian Union of Industry and Commerce president Samir Majoul and Tunisian ambassador Sami al-Saadi.
The meeting discussed ways of enhancing economic and commercial ties between the private sector of both countries, as well as promoting mutual investments and establishing alliances between Qatari and Tunisian companies.
On the sidelines of the forum, Qatar Chamber and the Tunisian Union of Industry and Commerce signed an agreement for the establishment of a joint businessmen council. The agreement was signed by Qatar Chamber second vice chairman Rashid bin Hamad al-Athba and Tunisian Union of Industry and Commerce vice president Mohamed al-Kaali.
Addressing the forum, the Tunisian minister stressed that the two countries “are associated with deep and distinct relations.” He stressed the strong desire of Tunisia to further develop cooperation ties in commerce, industry, and investment, and called on Qatari businessmen to invest in Tunisia, citing several concessions for Qatari investors.
Al-Kaali also cited successful Qatari investments in Tunisia like Ooredoo, which is one on the largest companies in Tunisia, “and an evident example of the distinguished fraternal relations between both countries.”
Sheikh Khalifa praised the “distinguished fraternal relations” of Qatar and Tunisia, noting that this has “greatly developed within the past few years,” especially after the mutual visits of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to Tunisia in February 2020 and the visit of Tunisian President Kais Saied to Qatar in November last year.
“These visits have had a great impact on giving a new impetus to the relations between the two countries, especially on the economic and investment side. The signing of many agreements and MoUs paved the way for the business sector to consolidate co-operation to achieve a genuine economic partnership that reflects the strength of these relations and meets the aspirations of the two fraternal countries,” Sheikh Khalifa also said.
He also stressed the importance of developing trade exchange between both countries. There are many joint Tunisian-Qatari companies operating in Qatar in several sectors such as trade, services, contracting, tourism, eateries, and real estate, he said.
Sheikh Khalifa said Qatari investments in Tunisia have seen significant development within the past few years, noting that the Qatari private sector owns numerous investments in Tunisia in several vital sectors, such as tourism and banks.
“Qatar offers a great deal of promising investment opportunities in all fields and industries, especially in services and tourism sectors as the 2022 FIFA World Cup approaches,” he said.
Sheikh Khalifa said the chamber would organise a visit for Qatari businessmen to Tunisia “in June or July this year” to help them learn about the investment opportunities available in Tunisia and review ways of cementing cooperation in economic and commercial aspects.
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