Luncheon in Honor of H.E. Tunisian President

The luncheon was headed by HE Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of Qatari Businessmen Association and HE Sheikh / Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber, and in the presence of  Mr. / Hussein Alfardan First Deputy Chairman of  QBA, Dr Sheikh / Khalid bin Thani Al Thani , Second Deputy Chairman of QBA, Mr. / Sherida Saad Jubran Kaabi board member, and the distinguished QBA Members Dr. / Hussein Al-Abdullah, Mr. / Nabil Abu Issa, Mr. / Maqbool Habib Khalfan, Mr. / Abdul Hamid Mostafawi and Mr. / Seraj Al Baker, Mr. / Khalid Mannai, Mr. / Mohamed Gohar, board member of the Chamber and Ms. / Huda Hobbi Board Member of the Qatari Businesswomen Association, and Ms. / Sarah Abdullah, Deputy General Manager of QBA.

HE Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani welcomed His Excellency the President of the Republic of Tunisia and the accompanying delegation who came to Doha to participate in the Arab League summit, expressing the desire of the Qatari business community to open bridges of communication and strengthen economic ties between the two countries, in order to discuss ways of enhancing trade cooperation and investments between the Qatari businessmen and their Tunisian counterparts. Sheikh Faisal also explained that Tunisia has a privileged geographical position that attracts major international companies, especially to its geographical proximity to major European markets..

It is worth mentioning that the volume of trade exchanges between Tunisia and Europe accounted for about 80% of the total trade, and is based on Tunisian exports of textiles, electrical and mechanical industries, and food products (olive oil and dates ..) .. Tunisia is also considered an excellent tourist destination where it attracts about 7 million tourists yearly, mostly from Europe and neighboring countries.

On his part, HE the Tunisian president was pleased to convene this meeting with the Qatari businessmen and his presence in Qatar. HE the President stressed that his country is open to Qatar and all Arab countries.  President Marzouki praised HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has highly supported the Tunisian peopl, stressing that Qatar has consistently provided financial support and logistical support to Tunisia during the past two years ..

With regards to the relations between the two countries, the Tunisian president said that economic relations between the two countries witnessed a significant improvement in the recent period as a result of the signing of a large number of bilateral agreements, revealing the new law for the protection of foreign investments in the country.

Tunisian President welcomed all Qatari investments in all economic sectors whether related to tourism, services or industry and said that Tunisia is seeking, through the good investment climate to attract foreign investments to provide more possible employment opportunities. It should be noted that Tunisia is facing a big challenge due to the high rate of unemployment, especially among university graduates, where there was an increase of the ratio by almost 17%.

This meeting also included talk about the economic climate and investment incentives in both countries that encourage foreign investments and joint business relationships.

Here it is important to note that the Tunisian infrastructure consists of 9 international airports and about 7 commercial ports, in addition to Nafidha International Airport that is similar to Doha International Airport and a huge port, including 100 industrial areas and two free trade in Bezerte, Jarjis and the south of the country.

The Qatari businessmen were invited to look for more investment opportunities in Tunisia in order to serve the common interests between the two countries as there is a huge potential especially since the state of Qatar has a diversified investment agenda.

Previously Arab countries were rushing to Western capitals but now Qatar became a magnet for foreign investors and politicians and decision-makers in the world, and has been pointed out that the Tunisian government is working to develop the legal framework for investment, especially in terms of simplification of procedures for investors.

At the end of this meeting HE President of Tunisia thanked QBA for the warm welcome, and invited the audience to visit the Republic of Tunisia and identify the economic environment closely, and see the most important investment opportunities that is abundant in Tunisia.

It is worth mentioning that the Qatari investors already begun to focus their projects in Tunisia, including a touristic project in the state of Tozor in southern Tunisia, which is the fruit of strategic cooperation between Qatar and Tunisia, and this project clears 40 hectares at a cost of $ 80 million to be a touristic destination for Arabs, Gulf and European tourists.

In addition to the contribution of the State of Qatar to build a residential neighborhood that includes nearly 750 residential units with all the facilities and privileges, and this contract was signed during the recent visit of His Highness The Heir Apparent, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani .