The 17th edition of the Mediterranean Building Exhibition "MEDIBAT", organised by the Sfax Chamber of Commerce and Industry, got underway on Wednesday at the Sfax Exhibition Centre. It will run until October 7, 2023. According to the organisers, the 2023 edition of this biennial show, which this year is being held under the theme "Entrepreneurship for green and sustainable building", has attracted more than 150 exhibitors from 7 countries in addition to Tunisia. These countries are Libya, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Congo Brazzaville, Senegal, Burkina Faso and France.) Trade visitors from 12 African and European countries are also present, according to the same source. Inaugurating the show, Sarra Zaafrani, Minister of Equipment and Housing, stressed that "the transition to green and sustainable building will determine the future of the construction sector, in the face of new energy, economic and development challenges". She pointed out that "the building and infrastructure sector is one of the energy-intensive sectors, ranking 1st nationally in terms of energy consumption, with a share of 36%". The Minister said that the global energy crisis, which has been exacerbated by climate change and the deteriorating environmental situation, would require the use of renewable and clean energies, and better coordination on a global scale to ensure greater resilience and sustainable development. She pointed out that her department is working to put in place the Energy Strategy for 2035 and to draw up the national urban policy for the coming period. The Ministry is also working to revive the construction sector, which contributes 7% to GDP, attracts more than 25% of investors and offers more than 400,000 jobs. The revival of this sector will be achieved through the transition to ecological construction, she pointed out.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse