Interview of Nourreddine Hajji, President of Ipemed’s branch in Tunisia
On the occasion of the official opening of Ipemed’s independent Tunisian branch, on 8th December 2016, Nourreddine Hajji, Managing Partner at Ernst and Young - who was appointed as President - agreed to answer our questions.
What are the main challenges facing Tunisia at the moment?
Noureddine Hajji: Tunisia successfully managed its political transition with the adoption of a new constitution that guarantees freedoms and democracy, the organization of transparent free elections and the progressive implementation of public institutions. These achievements, along with a strong and independent press, a highly mature civil society and the successes accomplished in the fight against terrorism will protect the values of freedom and democracy obtained by the Tunisian people. The current challenge for Tunisia is to boost its economy. And to do so, the country needs investors.
On 8th December 2016, we are going to inaugurate IPEMED’s branch in Tunisia. What will its role and objectives be?
Noureddine Hajji: We believe that coproduction, a concept that is dear to IPEMED, is a key element that can help the development of investment and the revival of growth. Hence the role and objectives granted to IPEMED Tunisia. This branch will be a kind of Tunisian Coproduction Observatory in charge of carrying out quantitative and qualitative analyses of the investments made in Tunisia as well as the industrial strategies of public authorities. The objective is to provide strategic information for investors and public authorities in order to promote coproduction and make easier, if necessary, the networking between Tunisian and Euro-Mediterranean economic operators.
What projects will the branch work on?
Noureddine Hajji: We are mostly thinking of monographs of coproduction companies and studies to assess the impact of coproduction on certain sectors (agri-business, health, education, textile and clothing, etc.). The choice of the sectors and their priority order will be determined by the Leading Committee of IPEMED Tunisia.