The Tunisian steel maker El Fouladh is planning to add new investments for expanding iron and steel production in Tunisia by adding a second electric furnace in the company, which is expected to come on stream during the next month. This will double the production of steel billets and raise it up to 200,000 tonnes per year.

In a new move to develop the company's activity, the company started to consider opening its capital and look for a strategic partner to develop its production capacity as to meet the domestic demand. This has been announced by Mr Afif Sahalabi minister of industry in Tunisia in a speech to the participants in the meeting of the AISU's General Assembly recently held in Tunisia.

Tunisia as was said by the Minister of Industry is considered the first country, compared to the countries of South Mediterranean, in respect of the number of the foreign organizations which have partnerships with Tunisia, the number of which now exceeds 2200 organizations against slight number of less than 300 organizations in 1995.

The Minister has stressed the importance of supporting partnerships in the steel industry which is one of the strategic industries in terms of its competitive capability and improving its position in the world markets.

(Sourced from Arab Steel)