São Paulo – The Tunisians are looking for new ways to invest in construction and technologies to make the industry more sustainable. The concern was raised at the forums held in the sidelines of the 12th Medibat, a building industry fair underway in the city of Sfax up until Saturday (9th), featuring a booth of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s Foreign Trade vice president, Rubens Hannun, who is now in the Arab country, attended two forums, one for economy and the other for science, on Thursday (7th).
“They are looking for new paths for construction,” the vice president told ANBA by telephone. According to Hannun, during the economic debate, experiences from other countries were outlined, especially from African nations such as Nigeria and Cameroon, and alternative modes of financing were discussed, such as Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Since December 2010, when a popular uprising erupted in the country, Tunisia is undergoing a process of social and political change. In the last few days, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced a PPP support program and a regulatory framework for investment in Tunisia.
According to the Arab Brazilian Chamber vice president, another concern expressed by the Tunisian construction industry is sustainability. During the scientific forum, architecture, urbanism and design were discussed, as well as the new quality-of-life-oriented cities, with investment in green areas, renewable energy and greater mobility through people’s living closer to their workplaces. “They are not just building, but are thinking the sector, how it should be,” said Hannun.
The two forums are taking place at Oliva Palace, also in Sfax, as part of the Medibat programme. Apart from viewing the debates, Hannun had a series of meetings with representatives of local and foreign organisations, like the Sousse Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in Tunisia, and the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce, in Libya. The vice president participated in the opening of Medibat, on Wednesday, which brought together ministers and other Tunisian leaders.
According to Hannun, almost all talks are turned to returning to partnerships, after the process for change lived by the country. Leaders of official organisations were renewed and the idea, from now, is to make these relations more dynamic. According to the vice president, these new Tunisian authorities are open to Brazil. “Before, they admired Brazil for its sport, and now it is for its development,” said Hannun. The country became a reference to be followed, he said, mainly for social insertion.
At the fair, the Arab Brazilian Chamber stand bas been receiving many visitors. According to the Governmental Relations executive at the organisation, Tamer Mansour, who is also in Sfax, most of the businessmen visiting the sand show interest in Brazilian building sector companies, as well as in agricultural equipment. Libya and Tunisia prevail among the contacts made, according to Mansour. Brazilian participation in the fair is promoted by the Arab Brazilian Chamber in partnership with the Brazilian Foreign Office (Itamaraty).
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum and Mark Ament
