Tunisian-Italian partnership thrives with over 1,000 Italian companies in Tunisia

Tunisia and Italy are experiencing a robust economic partnership, marked by sustained dynamics and growing trade exchanges. The bilateral trade volume was estimated at approximately 20.5 billion dinars in 2025, indicating a continuous upward trend, according to Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri.

Speaking at the opening of the Tunisian-Italian Economic and Business Forum in Tunis on June 24, Zenzri highlighted the solid indicators and consistently consolidating cooperation underpinning this relationship. Italy has solidified its position as a key economic partner for Tunisia, particularly in the energy sector, where it holds the top spot among investors. It also ranks third in terms of foreign direct investment.

The presence of Italian-participated companies in Tunisia is substantial, exceeding 1,072 firms with an estimated investment volume of around 3.7 billion dinars. This demonstrates the deep integration of Italian businesses into the Tunisian economy. Trade exchanges have also seen significant growth, rising by approximately 8% in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.

Beyond economic ties, Italy is a crucial source market for Tunisian tourism, welcoming over 160,000 Italian tourists in 2025. The Prime Minister emphasized that these achievements reflect the high confidence Italian investors have in Tunisia's business climate and the country's increasing attractiveness in strategic sectors. She also pointed to the development of joint projects and cross-financing as testaments to the depth of the Tunisian-Italian partnership and its future growth potential.