The fifth edition of "Tunisia - China: A Partnership for the Future" on July 7 witnessed the two countries' signing of three agreements in the fields of commerce, technology and finance.

Given the interests shown by Tunisian decision-makers, many observers described the event as highly beneficial for the promotion of bilateral cooperation.

Although the Tunisian economy showed limits due to its dependence on Europe, Tunisia has managed to balance its trade with the European Union, said Ahmed Bouzguenda, president of the Arab Institute of Business Leaders (IACE) and the organizer of the forum.

Bouzguenda said Tunisia's economic growth has been slow. Tunisia's paths to revive the economy are clear -- economic reforms and promoting growth, which would help consolidate existing partnerships and establish more.

TUNISIA'S PLACE ON BELT AND ROAD

Traditionally supported by investments and exports, the Chinese economy is in a period of transition with more emphasis on services and the Belt and Road Initiative, said Bouzguenda in a concept note exclusive to the event.

The Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, was brought up by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road routes.

Organizers of the forum believe that the Belt and Road Initiative serves as an infrastructure network to create a commercial network for all the continents.

"Tunisia could, in this sense, find its place on this axis because of its geographical and commercial position with Europe and its openness on Africa," Bouzguenda said.

Tunisian Minister for Development, Investment and International Cooperation Mohamed Fadhel Abdelkefi told Xinhua that the Belt and Road provides an opportunity for Tunisia.

"We hope that it will be the same for China, as Tunisia can offer Chinese companies a platform (with employment strengths)," he said.

"Chinese investments will be able to boost Tunisia's economic growth. We are facing two wars -- one is against terrorism, and the other is purely an economic war," Abdelkefi said.

COMPLEMENTING EACH OTHER

In order to understand each other, Tunisia and China are constantly exchanging ideas and expertise to strengthen and diversify potentials for bilateral economic cooperation.

On the Tunisian side, the organizers of the forum have proposed that the strengths of the Chinese economy could contribute to Tunisia's development.

Tunisia's tourism sector, which accounts for seven percent of Tunisia's gross domestic product (GDP), could benefit from the Chinese market with an estimated number of more than 100 million visitors and around US$290 billion, said Ahmed Al-Karam, a coordinator of the IACE.

The IACE recognizes that Tunisia is still suffering from a "chronic" deficit of around 6.475 million dinars (around US$3.357 million) during the first five months of 2017.

Eighty percent of the deficit is concentrated on ten countries, mainly China, Russia and Turkey, which together collect 52 percent of the deficit.

POSSIBLE STRATEGIC PARTNER FOR CHINA

The Belt and Road Initiative can create fruitful cooperation and solidarity between China and other countries, former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin told Xinhua in an interview outside the forum.

"Today, international cooperation is the key to the harmony of the world," he added. He said Tunisia is a country "deeply connected to many cultures, very rooted yet very open."

China can make Tunisia a country of mediation, as China aims to build connectivity between Africa and Asia, Raffarin said, adding that as a result, information on investment and innovation can also be shared.