Tunis: A Tunisian business mission to Niamey, Niger, will be organised next May 4-9 by the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (French: UTICA)'s Association of Export Advisers and the Economic Interest Grouping (Tunisia-Niger Development), in collaboration with the Niger Ministry of Trade and Industry. Several sectors of activity are involved in this mission, including agriculture, energy, banking, insurance and telecoms, the pharmaceutical industry, travel agencies, digital technology, as well as higher education, vocational training and public works, President of the Association Riadh Azaiez said. The main goal of this mission is to boost trade in goods and services between Tunisia and Niger. "It could also be an opportunity to remove the final obstacles to several Tunisian industrial investors operating in Niamey", he said. The mission also aims to ensure an enhanced presence for Tunisian products in Niger and Nigerien products in Tunisia and promote the exchange of experts. The a im is also to encourage and ensure a better intake of students in Tunisian high schools and training centres and seal a better partnership between doctors' associations in the two countries. A Tunisian-Nigerien business forum and B2B meetings are scheduled under the auspices of Niger's Minister of Trade and Industry Seydou Asman. "So far, 32 Tunisian companies have confirmed their participation in this mission", said Azaiez. Niger, with more than 2,000 billion m3 of underground water and 19 million hectares of farmland as well as large pastoral areas, is full of potential, especially in agriculture, livestock, mining, oil and energy. Niger imported around $10.191 million worth of goods from Tunisia in 2022, the main products being pasta, biscuits, buildings and bridges, iron works, medical and surgical equipment, etc. Exports from Niger to Tunisia amounted to $31,000. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse