Tunisian and French Officials Meet to Discuss Investment Opportunities and Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation
Officials from the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade, and Handicrafts (UTICA) and the French Embassy in Tunis met on Friday to explore investment opportunities and reinforce bilateral cooperation. The meeting, chaired by Samir Majoul, President of UTICA, and Anne Guéguen, French Ambassador to Tunisia, aimed to identify ways to boost trade exchanges and attract new investments, in anticipation of the Tunisia-EU Association Council scheduled for October 2025. Discussions focused on the privileged economic relations between the two countries, with France remaining Tunisia's primary trade partner and largest foreign investor. However, the parties noted certain obstacles hindering Tunisian exports, including customs and non-customs barriers affecting key sectors such as olive oil and textiles. Tunisia reaffirmed its commitment to preserving its food sovereignty and agricultural security. Several areas of cooperation were highlighted, including:
- Energy transition
- Artificial intelligence
- Digital technologies
- Automotive and aeronautic components
- Infrastructure
- Vocational training In this context, Tunisia will host the second edition of the Mediterranean Forum on Artificial Intelligence on November 20-21, 2025, following a first edition held in Marseille. This event aims to mobilize young talent and position the region as a player in digital innovation. Anne Guéguen also reiterated France's support for Tunisia's tourism sector, with the goal of increasing the number of French visitors and promoting the country's cultural and natural assets. Additionally, UTICA was invited to the "Tunisia Business Forum 2025," organized by Business France on October 28 in Paris, which will focus on strategic sectors and sustainable development. This meeting, which also included Arnaud Guigné, Head of the Regional Economic Service of the Embassy, Philippe Garcia, Director of the North Africa Zone of Business France, and several UTICA officials, is part of the perspective of the Tunisia-EU Association Council, considered a key step in deepening bilateral relations.
