Doha: The Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to the State of Qatar, H E Sami Al Saidi, stressed the importance of the official visit by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Tunisia and its role in strengthening relations between the two countries and pushing bilateral cooperation to broader fields and horizons.
In a press conference, H E the Ambassador said that H H the Amir’s visit to Tunisia confirms the exceptional nature of the distinguished relations between Tunisia and Qatar, especially that it comes a few months after the election of Tunisian President, H E Kais Saied and assuming his duties as head of state.
He added that H H the Amir’s visit to Tunisia is the first for an Arab leader after the Tunisian presidential elections, and it is the third visit His Highness is paying to his country within three years, adding it is an important message that reflects Qatar’s permanent support for Tunisia and stresses the importance of bilateral relations as well as the two countries keenness to continuously consolidate and enhance all areas of cooperation both in the political and economic fields.
He pointed out that Qatar has been and continues to support the aspirations of the Tunisian people and has, since the revolution, been supportive to Tunisia politically and economically, adding it is expected that the visit of H H the Amir would give a new impetus for political and economic partnership between the two countries.
H E the Ambassador pointed out that the visit will be an opportunity for consultation, discussion and coordination on many regional issues, especially given the important role played by Qatar on the regional and international arenas thanks to its soft and active diplomacy and its mediation efforts in many disputes. In view of Tunisia’s responsibility as the only Arab member in the UN Security Council, the consultation is expected to witness greater momentum to serve just causes and seek solutions to regional disputes tearing apart the Arab nation, he added.
H E the Tunisian Ambassador noted the important developments witnessed in the bilateral relations between the two countries at all levels, especially after the Tunisian revolution. He praised the deep-rooted relations and the steadfast will of the leadership in the two countries to make such relations a model, adding it is normal that the level of consultation between them remains high, especially in light of the current regional challenges that cast a shadow on security and development in the Arab region, pointing out that appreciation has long characterized the relations between the leadership of the two countries that translated into practical measures to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and cooperation.
He expressed his aspiration for this official visit to be an occasion to enhance coordination and consultation between the two countries and give additional impetus to economic and investment partnerships to renew support for the democratic and economic transition in Tunisia, with a view to upgrading distinguished cooperation to the level of solidarity and effective partnership.
In this context, he said that the Qatari exports to Tunisia doubled six times during the period from 2011 to 2019, while the Tunisian exports to Qatar doubled 10 times during the same period as the value of Qatari exports to Tunisia amounted to about QR85 million in 2019, and the value of Tunisian exports to Qatar reached QR85 million in 2019.
He added that these figures, even if they refer to developments in the volume of trade exchange and distinguished economic relations between the two countries, but remain below the desired level sought by the two countries, due to the absence of a maritime line linking the two countries and the high cost of air freight. He added that efforts is being done with the Qatari side to accelerate the linking of Tunisia to one of shipping lines of Qatar Airways or create a direct maritime line between the two countries.
H E the Ambassador pointed out that Qatar is one of Tunisia’s most important international partners in the financial and investment field, as the size of the Qatari investment in Tunisia in 2018 reached about QR4bn in the telecommunications sectors through Ooredoo and the banks through Qatar National Bank, which owns 35 branches in Tunisia and has stakes in the Tunisian Zitouna Bank and the Zitouna Takaful in the amount of 370m dinars. He indicated that the last Qatari investment in Tunisia was the opening of the desert resort in Tozeur region in southern Tunisia with a value of $80m, which was opened two months ago and is an addition to the La Cigale Tabarka hotel, as well as the tourist resort in Gammarth district of Tunis, which is currently being implemented with investments estimated at about $200m.
H E the Tunisian Ambassador stressed that Qatar still maintains its position as one of the largest investors in Tunisia, where its investments are managed through Qatari companies or joint capital that include the fields of communications, tourism and services, as these investments have provided 2524 jobs for Tunisians.
Also, H E spoke about the support that Tunisia received from Qatar, especially at the International Conference on Supporting the Economy and Investment in Tunisia in 2016, which was announced by H H the Amir, where Qatar provided financial support to Tunisia worth $1.25bn, of which $250m financed a number of development projects through the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD).
