By Milcah Tanimu
A 20-member Tunisian delegation has arrived in Nigeria for the Nigeria-Tunisia Economic Forum, marking a significant step in enhancing economic collaboration between the two nations. Led by Anis Jaziri, president of the Tunisia Africa Business Council, the delegation was warmly welcomed by Tunisian ambassador to Nigeria, Mohsen Antit, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday afternoon.
The Nigeria-Tunisia Economic Forum, which commenced on Tuesday and will run through Friday, aims to foster investment opportunities and strengthen bilateral economic ties. The forum is organized with the support of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. This event is expected to serve as a pivotal platform for exploring various sectors, including construction, information technology, health, trading, engineering, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals.
Anis Jaziri emphasized the unprecedented nature of this visit, noting that such a large delegation from Tunisia, representing multiple sectors of its economy, is a rare occurrence. The delegation’s diverse expertise is anticipated to facilitate meaningful discussions and potential partnerships.
Ambassador Antit highlighted the strategic choice of Nigeria as the venue for this forum, citing the country’s status as Africa’s largest economy and the richest member state of ECOWAS. He underscored the importance of this forum in continuing the momentum from the first Financing Investment Trade Africa (FITA) forum, held in Tunisia in June, which saw participation from more than 35 Nigerian companies.
Antit also called for increased intra-African trade, expressing concern over the historical trend of African nations engaging more in trade with countries outside the continent. He emphasized the need for African countries to focus more on strengthening economic ties within the continent to drive growth and development.
The forum is expected to address key issues in bilateral trade, explore new investment opportunities, and enhance cooperation between Nigerian and Tunisian businesses. With various sectors represented, the forum is poised to be a significant event in fostering economic growth and collaboration between the two nations.
