Tunisia seeks to attract foreign investors to revive economy

Interim Tunisian Prime Minister Mahdi Jomaa reiterated on Monday that his country is looking forward to setting up investment and economic partnerships to be in favor of all peoples.
This came in Jomaa's opening speech at the "Invest in Tunisia, Start-up Democracy" conference in the presence of French Prime Minister Manuel Valls.
At least 30 states and 20 international financial and economic institutions are participating in the conference, along with 27 multinational companies, investment funds and international banks.
Jomaa urged Arab and foreign investors to invest here to share interests in future.
Addressing the conference attended by Algeria's Prime Minister Abdulmalek Sallal and Moroccan Premier Abdulilah Benkirane, Jomaa said that Tunisia completes the final phase of democratic transition and keen on holding "transparent and free" legislative and presidential elections soon.
He pointed out that the government, which was formed in accordance with the national dialogue, has clear future visions and policies aimed at reviving economy and helping the country restore its key role among its partners.
"Tunisia presented clear economic visions, strategic options and a group of promising projects as a step to attract foreign investors," he told the attendees, stressing that investment in Tunisia means investment in democracy and peace.
For his part, Valls called on international financial institutions and business sectors in the world to support Tunisia in its economic and democratic transition as it is regarded a country of promising opportunities for investment.
He said that France would back Tunisia and Tunisian people, indicating that the country is about to successfully complete democratic tradition. He added French investors want to invest here in many fields such as energy and infrastructure of Rades Port.
Valls pointed out that the battle against terrorism in the region has not been finished; saying democratic path would be in favor of defeating terrorism.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director General of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development Mr. Hesham Al-Wuqayyan said that Kuwait's participation in the conference stresses its support to Tunisia in its development plans.
On the sidelines of the conference, he told KUNA that Kuwait is keen on cooperating with Tunis, adding that the fund started its activities here in 1963.
He pointed out that Kuwait and Tunisia agreed on cooperating in carrying out a number of projects, saying that the details would be discussed in other meetings.
He said the conference is "very important to Tunisia" and will bring positive outcomes to the country in future.
Al-Wuqayyan, accompanied by a delegation of senior officials, represents First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. (end) nm.hm