A strategic partnership. The Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, travelled to Tunis today to discuss critical raw materials, renewable energy and connectivity with Tunisian ministers and several representatives of the Italian business community who are active in the country. This visit was part of the Mattei Plan’s implementation.
- Urso’s visit is part of the Italian government’s engagement with Tunisia. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has visited the country four times since the beginning of her term, confirming the already close friendship between the two nations.
- Minister Urso stated, “With Tunisia, it is possible to embark on a path of mutual interest and development in critical raw materials, which are the foundation of green and digital technology, the two transitions that are changing the global order.”
- Indeed, the agreements signed with Tunisian counterparts will strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in technological transformation and energy supply, similar to the agreement signed with Egypt a few months ago.
AI and Digital. Minister Urso signed a joint declaration with Tunisian Minister for Communication Technologies, Nizar Ben Neji, to promote economic and industrial cooperation initiatives in artificial intelligence and digital transition research.
- “Among the main areas of the Mattei Plan, we attach great importance to the digital transition, on which a cooperation with Tunisia can be consolidated to benefit the entire Mediterranean region,” said Urso.
- The two ministers have decided to set up a working group to develop new technologies, focusing on submarine cable infrastructure for intercontinental data transmission and the development of artificial intelligence through the AI Hub.
- Moreover, the construction of the Elmed cable, a direct current submarine link between Italy and Tunisia, will start shortly.
- Tunisia is the fourth African country visited by Minister Urso as part of the Mattei Plan, following his missions to Algeria, Egypt and Libya. He will also be visiting Kenya in the coming weeks.
Energy and raw materials. The second round of meetings was with the Tunisian Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, Fatma Thabet, to discuss critical raw materials and energy links between the two countries.
- Energy cooperation is one of the Mattei Plan’s main areas of interest. Italy has promoted the development of renewable energy in Tunisia and Egypt.
- As part of the Italy-Tunisia energy cooperation, construction of the interconnection between Italy and Africa is underway. This link will connect two power plants from both countries and increase the interchange of energy from renewable sources. The Italian company Terna and the Tunisian Steg are building it.
