The number of approved private agricultural investments (agriculture and fisheries) fell by 10.7% to 2,595 at the end of May 2023, compared with the same period last year, while their value was up by 5.2% to TND 604 million. According to data published on Wednesday by the Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency (APIA), the number of approved investments fell by 23.9% compared with the 2016-2020 development plan, while their value increased by 4%. Approved investments at the end of May 2023 stood at around 1,116 projects, compared with 1,334 projects during the same period in 2022, down 16.3% in number and 26.6% in value (to TND 173.9 million). Reported investments in the primary processing sector amounted to TND 75 million at the end of May 2023, including the setting up of a processing unit for sea fishing products worth TND 11.8 million. The APIA also announced that 1,278 investments worth TND 276.3 million had been approved, accounting for 49.3% of the total number of approved investments. “The approved investments as a whole will help generate 1,166 permanent jobs,” the APIA said, adding that approved investments in the field crops sector were worth TND 13.5 million. Investments in the poultry sector fell from TND 60.7 million at the end of May 2022 to TND 29.8 million in May 2023. Likewise, approved investments in milk collection services dropped to TND 3.2 million from TND 6.1 million during the same period last year. On the other hand, approved investments in the fishing sector increased by 58%. All approved investments received subsidies worth TND 50.8 million.
Source: EN – Agence Tunis Afrique Presse