A business meeting between Ethiopian business communities and the business delegation from Tunisia opens today in Addis Ababa at the Sheraton Addis Hotel.
One of the participant Tunisian companies is SOTEFI, paper products manufacturing factory based in Tunis. “Tunisian companies are interested to collaborate with Ethiopian companies. We will discuss and decide on what kind of collaborations we will have,” said Issam, Fridhi, Export Manager of the company, speaking to NewBusinessEthiopia.com.
As the subsidiary of Bouricha Group, SOTEFI has been producing all paper based items since 1953. Its products include exercise books, notepads and the like, according to Mr. Fridhi, who indicated that the company’s products are distributed across Europe and some South American countries.
“Our raw materials are 100% imported from Europe and our products meet the highest quality standards. Our prices are also very competitive,” he said, indicating that the delegation will stay for a week exploring business opportunities in Addis Ababa.
He also stated that the Bouricha Group is one of the third largest company in Tuisia engaged in tourism, agriculture, industry and distribution
“We are only 21 days from to Djibouti Port. As Tunisia will be joining the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), we [both Ethiopian businesses and Tunisian companies] will benefit from less tax on trade,” he said.
There are many Ethiopian products that can get good market in Tunisia including coffee and fruits, according to Mr. Fridhi, who indicated that business between African countries should maintain the balance between export and import, which benefits the two trading countries.
Mohamed Ahmed, GM of an Ethiopian company Planet Transit and Forwarding Company, indicated that such business forum with Tunisia will, help to improve the current around $2.5 million trade between the two countries.
Organized by the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (ECSA) and Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association (AACCSA) the event is attended by some major companies in Tunisia and Ethiopia. The business to business meeting will also continue on Thursday 12 October, 2018 at Capital Hotel, according to the organizers.