Global Arab Network | Tunisia, France sign industrial cooperation agreement

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Tunisia, France sign industrial cooperation agreement

Global Arab Network - - George Haddad

Monday, 12 July 2010 23:10

Tunisia Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi received French Minister in charge of Industry christian Estrosi.

The latter said that the meeting had allowed discussing the ''high quality'' co-operation between Tunisia and France in all fields and notably in matters of industry and renewable energies.

He also stressed the importance of taking advantage of the opportunities provided to the two countries in innovative and high added value sectors. The French Minister went on saying that Tunisia is a very important partner in the Western Mediterranean and in building up the Union for the Mediterranean, especially in matters of technological innovation.

He expressed his country's will to further develop bilateral co-operation through the exchange of expertise and know-how in the field of renewable energies, a sector in which Tunisia has very important development paths. The Tunisian minister of industry and technology and the ambassador of France to Tunisia attended the meeting.

A Tunisian-French industrial cooperation agreement over the coming three years was signed on Monday with the aim of developing institutional, technical and financial partnership related to industrial sector.

A ceremony for signing the agreement was attended by Tunisian Minister of industry Afif Chelbi and his visiting French counterpart, Christian Estrosi.
Tunisia_France_sign_industrial_cooperation_accord

Tunisia_France_sign_industrial_cooperation_accord

The two sides expressed, at a news conference following the ceremony, their resolve upon developing their industrial sectors according to the principle of "integration", particularly in the field of foodstuffs, aircraft parts, hi-tech information and telecommunication techniques, textile, genetic engineering and biotechnology.

Further, Chelbi said this agreement, "symbolizes the successful cooperation, " between the two countries, noting that the industrial strategy of his country till 2016 sets ambitious goals including doubling the trade exchange with the EU in general and with France in particular.

He also talked about the "industrial compensation policy," adopted by a number of countries, deeming that it hit a success in the sector of automobile and aircraft parts through establishing a branch for Airbus aircraft plant in Tunisia in exchange for signing long-term contracts to help the country buy Airbus aircraft.

Meanwhile, Estrosi pointed out that the two countries have a shared interest in coordinating their efforts and allowing the EU to take part in their future projects, especially following the global financial crisis.

He added that their joint efforts have enabled them to protect the status of their textile industries in spite of the competitiveness of Chinese products.

The French Minister described the Tunisian success in the industrial field as "remarkable", saying that it makes Tunisia one of the most dynamic Mediterranean countries.

The trade exchange volume between Tunisia and France has increased more than three times since signing the partnership agreement with the EU in 1995, thus pushing the bilateral trade from two billion euros to seven billion euros in 2009. (KUNA, TAP)

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