Africa-France Summit to be held on 3 and 4 June in Bordeaux
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - The French Ambassador to Tunisia, Olivier Poivre d'Arvor, announced on Thursday in Tunis that the Africa-France Summit will be held on June 3 and 4 in Bordeaux, France, on the theme "Change cities and territories to change life".
"Nearly 50 states will attend the Summit, in addition to 15,000 participants among the main economic players in Africa, but also in Europe" who will exchange experiences in several areas, he said.
Dozens of Tunisian mayors are also expected to attend the summit, which will have a political dimension, as there will be projects dedicated to the public sector, the French ambassador said.
Despite Tunisia's efforts to penetrate African markets, the figures recorded are not up to expectations, compared to the level of trade between Tunisia and the European Union estimated at 70%, he said, estimating that Tunisia needs France to open up African markets.
The Summit will address issues of concern to African and French cities in order to find practical solutions against the background of the inclusive development of cities, noted the website of the French Embassy in Tunisia.
While demographers estimate that African cities will number one billion by 2040, the World Bank has estimated the African continent's urban infrastructure needs at US$90 billion a year, saying it is necessary to build 4 million houses each year to fill the urban housing gap.
-0- PANA YY/IN/JSG/BBA/MA 14Feb2020
