Market of Possibilities for Environment and Employment

Around 3,000 visitors attended the first environment and business forum “Green Ifriqiya” from 9 to 11 November 2007 in Tunis.

The newest developments in environmental and energy technology were presented in 120 booths, 18 of which were from European exhibitors.

Ten half-day seminars were very well visited and covered topics such as: instruments for environmental precaution, new approaches to ecotourism in Tunisia, energy efficiency and renewables, waste recovery and recycling, and establishing small businesses for environmental services.

GTZ had also organised a “business to business“ platform through which over 250 meetings were arranged and business partnerships initiated.

Photograph: Dr. Wolfgang Morbach (GTZ) at Green Ifriqiya 2007.

Green Ifriqiya was organised by the Tunisian Ministry of the Environment and the management of the exhibition grounds in Tunis-Le Kram, with support from GTZ. Opening talks on environment and economy were given by the Tunisian Environment Minister and representatives from GTZ, the European Investment Bank, the African Development Bank, the French Development Agency AFD and the Delegation of the European Union.

A tenth of the visitors came from abroad, representing 25 countries in Europe, the Near East and Africa. Even though attendance from sub-Saharan African countries was modest, the event is considered a success.

Event organisers and the Ministry of the Environment have agreed to further develop the event format and make this forum a regular feature, in order to establish Tunisia as an entry point for the African environmental market.