Annual industrial investments in Tunisia is half a billion dollars

Total value of industrial investments in Tunisia during the first 11 months of the current year reached 635 million Dinars, estimated at $ 539 million.

Tunisian official statements said that the food industries sector comes in the forefront of sectors contributing in investments and the share of this sector reached 213 million Dinars, estimated at $ 177 million, against 201 million Dinars, estimated at $ 167 million for the same period of 2003.

Investments of mechanical and electrical industries increased at a rate of 20% to 100 million dinars estimated at $ 83 million.

Worthy mentioning that investments directed to exports have not exceeded 168 million Dinars, estimated at $ 140 million, while investments directed to the local market reached 467 million dinars estimated at $ 389 million.

Worthy mentioning that foreign investments in Tunisia have contributed this year to the creation of some 9,000 work opportunities.

The strategy of the Tunisian government is based on encouraging traditional industries like textiles and food industries as well as on attracting new investors that would bring in more job opportunities for the Tunisian export market.

The government's plan by the end of 2004 aims at having investments at a half of one billion Dinars, estimated at $ 833 million.

Economists say that the targeted objective is to carry out several economic projects especially an American project in the field of canning for "Crown Cork" company at a cost of $ 100 million.