The Bizerte Governorate, the northernmost region of the country and of the African continent (Cape Angela), has considerable development potential and is rich in natural resources such as water, which accounts for 13% of the country’s hydraulic capital. It also includes 99,000 hectares of forest and makes a significant contribution to the country’s agricultural production in terms of fruit, vegetables, dairy products, sea fishing (6200 tonnes of fish per year) and aquaculture. Bizerte has a strong industrial base, with 244 industrial companies, of which 156 are fully export-oriented, 10 industrial zones and a technological centre for the agro-food industry in Menzel Abderrahmen. The region has a tourist core with 19 hotel units (3,023 beds, representing 1.2% of the national accommodation capacity), a natural reserve for beach tourism activities (200 kilometres of coastline), environmental activities (Ishkel National Park, Sejnane Forest) and a commercial port responsible for 20% of the national port traffic. Glaring disparities However, the regional and local development index for the governorate of Bizerte is considered “average”, characterised by strong regional and local disparities between the eastern and western parts of the governorate, according to available data on the regional development index for the year 2018. This index is based on indicators related to quality of life, social and demographic conditions, and the labour market. Some localities in the region are struggling with deteriorating public infrastructure, a lack of attractiveness for investors due to a glaring lack of service quality, in addition to real estate issues and the complexity of property ownership situations.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse