The 2nd edition of Korea-Tunisia-Africa Business Forum will be held on May 8-9 at the Maison de l'Exportateur in Tunis, with the participation of nearly 300 economic operators representing various sectors.
Jointly organised by the Export Promotion Centre (CEPEX), the Korean Embassy to Tunisia and the Tunisian-Korean Chamber of Commerce (TKCC), this forum will see the presence of a Korean delegation of 70 participants, led by Busan city mayor Park Hyeong Joon.
This event seeks to "create a platform for cooperation and triangular economic exchange between Korea, Tunisia and the African Continent," said CEPEX Deputy Managing Director Riadh Ben Attia at a press conference on Tuesday.
Tunisia is for Korea an exemplary partner capable of playing an important role in the development of this triangular relationship insofar as it enjoys a strategic geographical position in addition to the fact that it is a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The official also indicated that the companies taking part in this forum will represent various sectors including agri-food, Agri-Tech, Medical-Pharmaceutical industries, Beauty industry, Automative parts and Information and communication technology (ICT).
He added that representatives of Korean institutional bodies including the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and Busan Economic Promotion Agency (BEPA) are expected to attend this forum.
Taking the floor on the occasion, Korea's Ambassador to Tunisia Sun Nahm-kook said that his country's goal, through this triangular partnership, is to conquer not only the African market but also the European and Arab markets.
He also commended the large number of Korean economic operators expected in this 2nd edition, up by 30 participants compared to the first edition.
"Many Korean companies have volunteered to come to Tunisia," he indicated.
The Korean government is showing more and more interest in the African market, Sun Nahm-kook pointed out, adding that a specific summit on Africa will be held in May 2024 in Seoul.
President of the Tunisia-Korea Chamber of Commerce (TCCC) Slim Sellami said for his part, that CEPEX and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency "FIPA-Tunisia" will sign two agreements with KOIMA on the sidelines of this forum.
The agreements aim to organise economic missions between the two countries and to boost bilateral investments.
President of the Tunisia-Korea Chamber of Commerce (TCCC) Slim Sellami said for his part, that CEPEX and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency "FIPA-Tunisia" will sign two agreements with KOIMA on the sidelines of this forum.
The agreements aim to organise economic missions between the two countries and to boost bilateral investments.
In 2022, trade between Tunisia and South Korea reached TND 724 million, according to CEPEX figures.
Tunisian exports to South Korea totalled TND 91 million, recording a 30% increase compared to 2021.
The exported products notably include crustaceans (crabs), electrical wires and cables, copper waste and scrap and dates.
Tunisian imports from South Korea amounted to TND 633 million, down by 29.2% compared to 2021.
The imported products are passenger cars, wires and cables.
The trade balance is in deficit for Tunisia by TND 541 million, with a coverage rate of 14.4 %.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse