The Minister of Industry and Mines Fatma Thabet Chiboub recently received a delegation from the Chinese company asia Potash International International (Guangzhou) at the headquarters of the Chinese company, led by its vice-president, Zheng Youye.
Also attended the AFEF Chachi Tayari meeting, Cabinet Cheffe, and Nejah Cherif, Director General of Mines.
Representatives of the Chinese company expressed their desire to invest in Tunisia in the field of research and mining, as well as in the development of the phosphate operating project at the SRA Ouertane mine. They also expressed their interest in a partnership with Tunisia in the production of fertilizers, in particular potassium and bromine.
The SRA Ouertane site, located in the governorate of Kef, is of major strategic importance for Tunisia. Hosting considerable phosphate reserves, this deposit is still little exploited, unlike historical basins in the center of the country like Gafsa.
Its development represents an opportunity to diversify national production, attracting foreign investors, especially in a global context of strong demand for fertilizers, and opening up a long marginalized region. For Tunisia, the interest also lies in the local valuation of the raw material, through the transformation of phosphate into higher added value derivatives, such as potassium or bromine, which would reduce dependence on imports and strengthen industrial sovereignty of the country.
The commitment of an actor like Asia Potash, already active in mining technologies and the fertilizer value chain, could thus constitute a lever for sustainable regional and economic development.
