H.E. Mr. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, President of the Republic of Tunisia

Tunisia produces 2% of the world's automotive wire and cable production. It is also the sixth provider of car cables to the European market, including for such major car brands as Audi, Volkswagen Mercedes, but also Renault and Fiat.

There are currently some 65 foreign car cable companies in Tunisia, mostly from Germany, France and Italy. So far, foreign direct investments have amounted 251,745 million dinars, and the number of jobs generated by the sector has reached 25,418.

Thanks to a 30 year old experience and to the competitiveness of its technicians and engineers, Tunisia has become the region's top automotive cable manufacturer and one of the world's leaders in the sector.

Several automotive cable companies are increasingly investing in Tunisia, thanks to the many incentives the country offers. (www.investintunisia.tn)

This is the case of the German company "Leoni," which opened its manufacture in 1977 and which has decided to intensify its activities in 1995. "Leoni"-Tunisia which sprawls over some 71,000 square meters, employs some 6000 people. In 2009 the manufacture will expand following the injection of investments amounting to 200 million Euros.

The company's short term objective is to increase the workforce by an additional 4000 technicians, raising the total number of workers to 10,000.

By 2011, investments earmarked for the sector will amount to 120 million dinars , and the sector is expected to generate some 20,000 additional jobs, which represents the equivalent amount of jobs created by the sector in about 30 years.