TAP citing the industry minister of Tunisia reported that the industrial sector, the most labor intensive one in the country, is expected to be hit by the world downturn in 2009.

The minister pointed out that it is important for companies to improve their productivity, to list on Tunisia's bourse and restructure their financial structures in order to upgrade their competitiveness.

The crisis, however, will create new chances for Tunisian firms to improve their positioning as a good destination for foreign cash as they offer qualified workforce with costs lower than those by eastern European countries after they joined the European Union (EU), according to the minister.

The country drew USD 250.92 million over the first nine months this year, creating 10,149 jobs, according to government data.