Staff Report
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H.E. Mohamed Karim Boudali, the Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to the country, mentioned that Tunisian workers in Kuwait are well-trained and integrated, with their number not exceeding 4,000 according to statistics.
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Ambassador Boudali said it is crucial to establish a direct flight route to facilitate the trade, with potential options including Tunisian Airlines or Kuwaiti Airlines.
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The ambassador reassured Kuwaiti investors and citizens that Tunisia has regained its appeal in both investment and tourism and has initiated significant reforms across various sectors.
H.E. Mohamed Karim Boudali, the Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to the country, praised his recent meeting with Marzouq Al-Otaibi, the Director of the Public Authority for Manpower.
He emphasized that the meeting was fruitful and provided an opportunity to underscore the depth of relations between the two countries. Additionally, they reviewed opportunities for enhancing cooperation in the field of Tunisian labor, highlighting Kuwait’s appreciation for the role of the Tunisian labor force in various specializations.
Ambassador Boudali mentioned during his meeting with journalists that “Tunisian workers are well-trained and integrated into Kuwaiti society, receiving respect and appreciation. He emphasized the importance of this aspect and noted that their number does not exceed 4,000 according to statistics. He also indicated a desire to strengthen this presence in a manner that aligns with the requests and needs of the State of Kuwait.”
He expressed gratitude to the Kuwaiti authorities for their support and hospitality towards the Tunisian community, noting that any issues are promptly addressed. He emphasized the significance of agreeing to sign a memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing cooperation in the field of employment, tailored to meet Kuwait’s specific needs and requests.
Regarding the areas most in demand, the ambassador said, “The discussion highlighted that Kuwaiti authorities and leadership are open to cooperation across all fields and are prepared to welcome Tunisian expertise in various domains. However, particular emphasis was placed on health, justice, education, and the technological sector.”
As for setting a specific date for signing the memorandum, he explained, “We have initiated a project that is in its final stages. It is likely to be signed either during a delegation’s visit to Tunisia or during the upcoming fourth session of the joint committee to be held in Tunisia. The foreign ministers of both countries will oversee its progress.”
He continued, “We have ample material for work, with over 30 draft agreements ready for signing thus far. We are hopeful for the possibility of convening the committee before the end of this year.”
Ambassador Boudali added, “In fact, there are more than sixty agreements spanning various fields such as culture, education, investment, and trade exchange. The legal framework is quite robust, greatly facilitating relations between our two countries. Our focus will be on ensuring these agreements align with the evolving needs of our relationship, and some may require amendments.”
Investment opportunities in Tunisia
Regarding investment opportunities in Tunisia and discussions within the Kuwaiti private sector about these opportunities, the ambassador highlighted that Kuwait has been one of the earliest investors in Tunisia since the seventies. This historical investment has significantly contributed to Tunisia’s development progress.
The ambassador emphasized that prospects and opportunities for further investment are present, with Ekuity Capital playing a pivotal role as the Kuwaiti investment arm in Tunisia under the Kuwait Investment Authority.
Recently, a Kuwaiti investment delegation visited Tunisia for discussions with government officials and the Authority, underscoring their interest in investing in Tunisia and exploring available opportunities.
The delegation noted the need for additional efforts in promoting these opportunities. These insights were shared during meetings arranged by the Tunisian authorities for the Kuwaiti delegation, which comprises businessmen on a special initiative to explore investment possibilities in Tunisia.
Kuwait-Tunisia trade exchange
Regarding the volume of trade exchange between the two countries, the ambassador noted that it falls below the necessary level despite the existing capabilities and opportunities. Demand for trade exists from both sides, and this matter is currently under discussion with our counterparts in Kuwait. The prospects for improvement are promising, and we are actively working towards enhancing them. However, it is crucial to establish a direct flight route to facilitate this trade, with potential options including Tunisian Airlines or Kuwaiti Airlines.
Regarding discussions about direct flights with the Kuwaiti carrier, he mentioned, “We are in communication with them in Tunisia and with our counterparts in Kuwait. There are certain technical aspects that need agreement between both parties, and communication is ongoing regarding this matter.”
Twenty Kuwaiti students receive Tunisian scholarships each year
Regarding making Tunisia a specific destination for education and discussing the quality of Tunisian education, he mentioned, “There is a significant number of Kuwaitis participating in student exchanges, with twenty Kuwaiti students receiving scholarships to study in Tunisia annually. However, we are striving to enhance this cooperation and increase the number of students. Recently, we had a meeting with Abdullah Al-Salem University where we discovered extensive opportunities for cooperation. We agreed to arrange a meeting between the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and the university to further discuss these opportunities within the scope of student exchange.”
Reassuring investors
Ambassador Boudali reassured about Tunisia’s stability, completion of political reform, and security. He said, “We initiated economic reforms to enhance the investment climate, resulting in over 13% growth in foreign investments in 2023 compared to 2022.”
He added, “Certainly, the Kuwaiti brothers had raised some concerns, for example, regarding currency transfer. By the grace of God, we have overcome these issues with the establishment of new exchange zones in Tunisia and regulatory measures controlling currency transfers within and outside Tunisia. This has almost facilitated freedom in currency transfers, allowing investors to manage their funds in Tunisia smoothly, withdrawing profits seamlessly. This resolution addresses a demand shared by all investors in Tunisia, including our Kuwaiti and Gulf counterparts.”
He added that there are institutions dedicated to investment operations, such as the Tunisian Investment Authority and the Ministry of Economy and Planning, all of which are ready to engage with major investors.
He reassured Kuwaiti investors and citizens that Tunisia has regained its appeal in both investment and tourism and has initiated significant reforms across various sectors, particularly in investment, attracting the interest of many businessmen.
He mentioned that a significant commonality in the bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries is a strong consensus and alignment in vision regarding all the issues raised.
He continued, “We always uphold national sovereignty and decisions, followed by our commitment to international legitimacy and recourse to international law and institutions. We defend crucial matters with steadfastness, conviction, and principled stances. A prime example of this is our stance on the Palestinian issue, where there is nearly a ‘unity’ between Kuwaiti and Tunisian positions.”
Security cooperation
Ambassador Boudali emphasized the ongoing security cooperation between the two countries, which has a long-standing history and is governed by bilateral and Arab frameworks. There is a draft agreement aimed at enhancing this cooperation, which is in its final stages of preparation. We anticipate it will be signed during the first official visit, whether to Tunisia, Kuwait, or during the joint committee meetings. “It is one of the agreements on the table.”
