The head of the Tunisian government, Sara Zaafrani Zenzri, and the Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, inaugurated Thursday, September 11, 2025, to the new administrative capital of Cairo, the Tuniso-Egyptian common economic forum, organized at the end of the 18ᵉ session of the superior mixed commission. The forum brings together investors and economic actors from the two countries around new perspectives of cooperation.
A strategic platform for the private sector
In her opening speech, Sara Zaafrani Zenzri stressed that this forum is a unique opportunity for investors in the two countries to explore new opportunities and establish partnerships based on the common interest.
It insisted on the central role of the private sector in economic development and innovation, especially in strategic sectors such as industry, transport, infrastructure, health, education, scientific research, the environment, renewable energies and start-ups.
Intensification of economic exchanges and investment
The Tunisian government’s heading recalled the need to develop bilateral economic relations in all their dimensions, increasing the volume of trade and stimulating common investment. She proposed several concrete measures:
- Increase meetings and dialogue between investors and support structures for the two countries.
- Define a medium -term strategic vision for trade and investment, with a focus on the African market.
- Identify and resolve the obstacles encountered by investors during an interactive forum session.
- Regularly organize sectoral fairs and meetings to generate common projects.
- Study the opening of a direct maritime line between Tunis and Egypt to facilitate exchanges.
Encouragement of innovation and start-ups
Sara Zaafrani Zenzri highlighted tax and financial incentives for young companies and start-ups, as well as the development of incubators and innovation centers. These initiatives aim to promote access to financing, markets and advanced technologies, allowing many Tunisian start-ups to expand internationally.
Strengthening legal frameworks and regional partnerships
The government’s chef recalled that Tuniso-Egyptian trade relations are based on a modern and incentive legal framework, including in particular the African continental free trade area (ZLECAF) and the COMESA agreement. These instruments facilitate bilateral trade and the integration of value chains, opening the way to an active presence on the African market.
