On January 31, 2025, Tunisian Prime Minister Kamel Maddouri met with the CEO of the Calzedonia Group, Sandro Veronesi, along with notable figures including Italian ambassador Alexander Prunas, during discussions aimed at bolstering economic cooperation between Tunisia and Italy. This meeting reflects the directives from President Kais Saied to stimulate investments and create an appealing entrepreneurial environment within Tunisia.
During the talks, Maddouri emphasized the “solidity and long history” of Tunisia’s relations with Italy, which have been characterized by strong dynamics across various sectors, such as political, economic, financial, and social arenas. He expressed his aspiration to amplify Italian investments within Tunisia, announcing plans for organizing an Economic Forum for Italian entrepreneurs slated for the first half of 2025. The forum aims to attract new investments and strengthen bilateral partnerships, particularly focusing on promising economic sectors.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the Tunisian government’s commitment to fostering a transparent and favorable business environment. Legislative reforms are currently underway to simplify and digitize administrative procedures, expedite bureaucratic processes, and eliminate licenses seen as barriers to project launch and activities.
Specific attention was drawn to the labor laws during the discussions, with Maddouri stressing the significance of respecting regulations concerning decent work. He underscored the opportunities available within promising sectors of the Tunisian economy.
Sandro Veronesi conveyed the Calzedonia Group’s confidence in Tunisia’s efforts to create conditions conducive to investment. He noted the advantages offered by Tunisia, particularly its human resources. Supporting this commitment to investment, Veronesi revealed plans for new projects by the Calzedonia Group across various industrial sectors boasting high operational capabilities.
Supporting the expansion efforts, Ambassador Prunas emphasized Italy’s extensive investments within Tunisia and advocated for doubling the number of Italian companies operating there. His insights called for diversification of these Italian investments within the North African nation.
The discussions signal significant potential for enhancing economic ties between Italy and Tunisia, aimed at not just increasing investments but also at establishing collaborative ventures beneficial to both countries. The forthcoming Economic Forum is expected to play a pivotal role by acting as a platform for nurturing these ideas and fostering dialogue among entrepreneurs from both nations, paving the way for fruitful investments.
With Tunisia’s rich history of collaboration with Italy, including diverse sectors ranging from crafts to technology, the enhancement of this relationship could bring about significant advancements for both parties, amplifying not just the economy of Tunisia but also helping Italian enterprises explore new markets and opportunities.
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