Caretaker prime minister Youssef Chahed inaugurated the “Porpser Africa ” summit with the participation of 450 Tunisian and foreign enterprises, including 50 American.

The summit was launched by the US Embassy in Tunis with the assistance of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM),with the aim to attract private American enterprises to invest in Tunisia in particular and in Africa in general, in addition to promoting the private initiative.

The summit aims to pave the way to promote bilateral economic relationships and build alliances between America and African investors.

This lead will further present the participating countries with all the support of the US government to reach their economic growth, as well as the required investments for the realisation of investments in Tunisia and other African countries, through the International Development Finance Corporation, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Eximbank), the US Department of Commerce and others.

In his opening speech, PM Youssef Chahed welcomed the American delegation and all participants in the summit. He extended his gratitude for choosing Tunisia to host this event.

Chahed expressed his appreciation to Acting Under Secretary for International Trade Joseph C. Semsar for his kind word to Tunisia and his willingness to support this initiative. Words of thankfulness were also extended to the U.S ambassador Donald Blome, his staff and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Tunisia) as well as the ministries of foreign affairs and commerce for their efforts and diligent work to ensure Tunisia success in holding this event.

During his speech, Chahed regarded that hosting the Prosper Africa summit in Tunisia proves the high trust the country enjoying and its active role in Africa.

Tunisia firmly believes that our continent needs more than ever to enhance investment, develop foreign trade and strengthen economic relationships with the United States of America and the African partners, said Chahed.

He indicated that this project coincides with the country aim to achieve inclusive development and secure the means for a decent life for the present and future generation.

He reiterated the high level of collaboration and partnership between Tunisia and the United States which witnessed a qualitative leap since the revolution when both sides adopted a cooperative and consultative approach to set up a strategic partnership. A step that the PM sees as an opening chapter toward bilateral relationships that is marked by the spirit of mutual respect and pursuit of common interest.

He recalled his visit to Washington in 2017 and the fruitfull meetings he had with Mike Pence and high officials from different sectors. Chahed underscored in his speech the long bond friendship between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations with America and signing the first bilateral treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation 1797.

Moreover, he pointed out the changing dynamics in these ties in the post-revolution period, which culminated in signing the memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a new strategic partnership during former president late Béji Caid Essebssi in 2015. It strived to strengthen long term bilateral cooperation through the establishment of new cooperation mechanisms, namely the Tunisian-American strategic dialogue and the Joint Economic Commission.

He emphasised that the simultaneous organisation of this economic event with a regional dimension in Tunisia and the third session of the Tunisian-American Joint Economic Commission unquestionably displays the will of both parties to boost economic cooperation to a level of productive strategic partnership.

He observed that it should be reminded that holding this unique event reflects the common commitment and determination to consolidate the shared framework of cooperation and the opening of a new chapter of collaboration between the African continent and the United States of America both at the bilateral and triangular levels.

The PM stressed that holding Prosper Africa summit is in Tune with Tunisia foreign policy orientation. He also displayed the strong believe that Africa will concentrate the economic development of the future especially in the field of energy and renewable energies, in addition to high value-added investments, low production costs and available workforce.

Tunisia’s new foreign policy orientation is to establish a privileged partnership with the Africa countries, particularly in the sectors of health, training, higher education, tourism, housing, information technology, construction and civil engineering, agriculture and electricity interconnection in rural regions,he asserted .

Moreover, Tunisia has enhanced its diplomatic ties with the opening of embassies in Ouagadougou and Nairobi and Five trade missions were organised in sub-Saharan Africa were established in addition to preparations for the next launch of two airlines to Cotonou and Conakry as well as the establishment of five trade missions to sub-Saharan Africa, affirmed Chahed.

The PM also shed the light on securing a seat in the economic community of West Africans and the integration of the common market in eastern and southern Africa.

 

 

 

 

What's happening in Tunisia?
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for updates.