H.E. Mr Nejmeddine Lakhal, Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to India

HE Khemaies Jhinaoui, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia concluded a successful visit to India in October 2017 during which he co-chaired with HE Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India the 12 session of India Tunisia Joint Committee Meeting. Can you elaborate of the Road-map that was agreed between the two sides?

Indeed, it was a successful visit. The exchange of views that HE Khemaies Jhinaoui, Minister of Foreign Affairs had with the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi were very constructive, and his discussions with HE Mrs. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs and His Excellency Shri MJ Akbar, Minister of State for External Affairs were very productive.

And I can say that both countries are satisfied and pleased with the outcomes of the 12 session of Tunisia-India joint Committee Meeting, and in particular the adoption of a “Road Map”. A visionary approach for the future inspired by our friendly countries’ commitment at the highest level to give a new dimension to Tunisia-India relations, at both political and economic levels, and to further promote and enhance people to people interaction between our friendly countries.

The Road Map is aimed at establishing a sustainable partnership to further deepen and strengthen our political consultations, bilaterally and multilaterally, and to broaden and energize our cooperation in key sectors, including trade, investment, science and technology, education, research and innovation, ICTs, security, infrastructure, agriculture, cyber-security, energy, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, skills development, textile, transport, tourism, and health.

What are the specific area where Tunisia is seeking investment from India? How can India seek advantage to enter into African and southern European markets through Tunisia?

In 2016, Tunisia launched a five-year plan (Tunisia 2020) intended to enable the country to achieve an annual growth rate of over 4% by 2020. It is an ambitious development plan targeting more “economic efficiency based on innovation, social inclusion and sustainable development.”