Reported investment in the manufacturing sector has climbed by 27.8% during the first quarter of 2023, reaching 741.1 million dinars (MD), according to data published by the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (APII) Thursday.

904 projects were reported at the end of March 2023, up 8.9%. These projects will create 12,279 jobs.

The APII indicated that several sectors have seen an upsurge in reported investments, notably building materials, ceramics and glass industries (+538.6%), textiles and clothing (+103.4%), mechanical and electronic industries (+43.9%), and chemicals (+33.1%).

On the other hand, other activities experienced a drop in terms of reported investments, namely the leather and footwear industries (-83.9%), agri-food (-25%), and miscellaneous (-4.2%).

69% of investments during the first quarter of 2023 were declared in the framework of creative projects. These investments have recorded an increase of 160.5%, to exceed 548 MD.

On the other hand, the investment intentions within the framework of extension projects, or renewal of equipment have regressed by 40.6%, to 242.7 MD. The number of jobs related to these projects went from 7092 to 3611 during the first three months of the year 2023, that is to say a fall of -49.1%.

The APII also reported an increase by 66.5% in investments declared in the totally exporting industries, to 384.2 MD. Similarly, investments dedicated to industries whose production is oriented towards the local market recorded an increase of 4.8%, to 406.9 MD, during the first quarter of 2023.

As for industrial investments 100% foreign and in partnership, they went from 216.3 MD, at the end of March 2022 to 142.7 MD at the end of March 2023, thus recording a 34% drop.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse