Tunisia wins Europe over

TUNIS, Feb. 8, (TAP) - Tunisian youths' uprising has won Europe over, which might represent a support for the promotion of foreign direct investments in the near future, reckoned the delegates of the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency FIPA in several European capitals. These delegates expressed indeed the following views to TAP news agency.

Brussels: Increased interest in cooperation

FIPA delegate in Brussels Abdelbasset Ghanmi said: "we have noted some liking in the media, a renewed confidence on the part of companies and care by foreign partners to further develop cooperation with Tunisia (European Commission, EIB, European Parliament…)".

The efforts here, he added, have focused these last weeks on raising awareness in business circles about the resumption of economic activities in Tunisia, with the assistance of the partners' network including Chambers of Commerce, Professional Associations and Journalists.

Paris: Investors optimistic but watchful

"The Tunisian Revolution has been followed up very carefully by key economic players and business circles in France which stressed the courage and exemplary maturity of the Tunisian people and noted the high level of Tunisia's educated and ambitious youths who managed to claim and get the ousting of former President Ben Ali in a very short time and in a very remarkable way ", affirmed FIPA General Delegate in France Ezzedine Jilliti.

"The investors believe that the establishment of a climate of freedom will provide more favourable conditions for business and a more transparent and more attractive environment and that democracy will be a strong bastion against risks " he added. The investors remain watchful, he said, without for all that sinking into pessimism.

FIPA Paris has planned for next March and April seminars in Lyon, Paris, Saint Etienne and Lille as well as other meetings for the second quarter, asides from specialized exhibits and attendance of professional exhibitions.

UK: Tunisia positively perceived by political and economic circles

FIPA Director in London Beligh Ben Soltane affirmed: "the last events in Tunisia have been very well perceived by political and economic circles in the United Kingdom for they mean more transparency and opening out onto foreign countries. As regards British investors operating in Tunisia, they have expressed support to this new democratic process underway in Tunisia". As to ventures underway, 4 British companies (electrical and electronics, plastic and textile) that had scheduled prospection visits for January and February 2011 , have postponed their visits to Tunisia without canceling them.

Spain: Tunisian uprising encouraging

Mrs Amina Mkada, Director of FIPA Madrid (Spain and Portugal) said that the Spaniards were very favourable to the Tunisian revolution and that most Spanish papers had quoted in their comments the high level of Tunisians' education and civilized behaviour in protests as well as Tunisia's advanced level in matters of ICTs.

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