Over the past twelve years, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has successfully implemented 208 projects and activities in Tunisia spanning a diverse range of areas from education to healthcare, from agriculture and animal husbandry to administrative and civil infrastructure.

TİKA, which began its activities in the country in 2012 to carry out technical cooperation and development activities between the Republic of Türkiye and Tunisia and opened its Program Coordination Office in Tunisia in 2013, has implemented dozens of projects and activities across various regions of the country in the fields such as education and vocational training, healthcare, the development of administrative units, support for agriculture and animal husbandry, contributions to cultural life and emergency humanitarian aid.

Türkiye conveys its experience to Tunisia through TİKA

TİKA has carried out various projects to strengthen the administrative and civil infrastructure in Tunisia. Within this scope, a total of 600 motor vehicles were provided and delivered to local administrations and ministries. The vehicles include garbage trucks, street sweepers, tractors, combine harvesters, graders and fire trucks.

Within the Center of Innovation in Carpet and Weaving affiliated with the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts of Tunisia, the country’s first carpet maintenance and restoration center was established by installing machines manufactured in Türkiye.

As a result of cooperation with TAP News Agency, a fully-equipped TV studio was established within the agency.

The necessary technical equipment for digitizing manuscripts within the Laboratory for the Preservation of Manuscripts in Raqqada was provided.

The dining hall and bathrooms of the Hafsia Children’s Complex, which provides social and psychological support to children from low-income families in need of special care and support, were renovated.

As part of the “International Police Cooperation Project,” implemented in cooperation between TİKA and the Directorate General of Security of the Republic of Türkiye, technical courses were provided to 922 Tunisian police officers in Türkiye and Tunisia. These trainings are still ongoing.

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Projects

The necessary laboratory materials and equipment to establish the department of “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants” within the Manouba Professional Agricultural Training Center affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries of Tunisia were provided.

Within the project of Tunisia’s National Gene Bank aiming to identify local olive species in the country, measure their productivity and distribute olives to farmers by reproducing them, the necessary equipment and materials were provided by TİKA.

A tractor to support farmers whose source of income is agriculture and animal husbandry in Béni Khalled, the necessary equipment, and a total of 6,000 fig tree seedlings were distributed to 150 farmers who are members of the Al-Baraka cooperative.

Education Projects

TİKA, which implemented 25 education projects between 2012 and 2023, provided educational materials, equipment and stationery to a total of 12 schools in different regions of Tunisia.

Also supporting Turkish language learning in Tunisia, TİKA established Turkish Language and Multimedia Classes at the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences of the University of Tunis in 2016, and at the Pilot High School of Sousse, Sadiki College established by Hayreddin Pasha and the School of Foreign Languages of the Tunisian Ministry of Defence in 2019.

The library of the University of Ez-Zitouna, one of the most long-established higher education institutions in Tunisia and the Islamic world, was supported with digital infrastructure.

The Monastir Science Palace, affiliated with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Tunisia was equipped with interactive kiosks, 3D models and appropriate software, and decorated to provide modern services. 

Information technology classes were established at two training centers affiliated with the Tunisian Training Agency for Tourism Professions.

At the studio established within the National Children and Youth Informatics Center, trainings were provided to children and young people in the fields of photography, video recording and editing, short film shooting, press and communication.

Healthcare Projects

A fully-equipped ambulance was delivered to the Tunisian Ministry of Health as part of the fight against COVID-19.

Medical imagining system support was provided to the Abderrahmen Mami Pneumo-Phthisiology Hospital.

Vocational Training Projects

A laboratory was established at Sfax International Training School where 100 students can receive training on solar energy systems annually.

Diagnostic equipment necessary for repair of diesel engines and models for application were provided to the Jebeniana Vocational Training Center in the city of Sfax, and the quality of vocational training was enhanced.

Social Projects

Pedagogical materials necessary for psychomotor development, toys and equipment were provided to Local Korba Association for Disabled Individuals and the Nabil Assistance Association for Individuals with Intellectual Disability.

The bathroom and kitchen areas of the Orphanage of Diar Essebil Mother and Children Protection Association, which offers services to babies in need of care, were renovated, and brought up to modern standards.

Thanks to the pastry workshop established within the Education Center of Menzel Bouzelfa Assistance Association for Individuals with Intellectual Disability, individuals with mild intellectual disability will have the opportunity to participate in production and earn income by receiving vocational training.

Apart from contributing to the social and economic development of the country, TİKA’s projects in Tunisia hold a significant importance in terms of enhancing educational and vocational skills.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA).

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the Gauteng Office of Trade and Investment Kwazulu-Natal, organized an informative webinar on “Available Renewable Energy Projects in Kwazulu-Natal” for Sri Lankan renewable energy companies on 26 March 2024.

The Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Pretoria and, Acting Director General of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board Anoma Premathilake, welcomed all the participants and introduced the webinar’s objectives to the participants.

Manager of the Gauteng Office of Trade and Investment Kwazulu-Natal Donnee Kruger, explained the current energy crisis in South Africa and possible solutions with renewable energy sources. She explained that South Africa has introduced “Energy one-stop,” which provides a single-window facilitation process for energy projects and spoke of the current energy environment and opportunities in South Africa.

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pretoria invited guest speakers Deoline Subramany and Michelle Visser from ART Solar company and Leo Williams from Photon Energy South Africa, who spoke of the capacity of their companies in producing renewable energy in South Africa.

Eighteen Sri Lankan companies joined the webinar and engaged with the speakers, requesting information on tariffs, concessions, and the approval process for projects.

Second Secretary (Commerce) of the Sri Lanka High Commission Thiloka Perera, and Director of Export Services Indumini Kodikara delivered the vote of thanks at the conclusion of the webinar.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sri Lanka.

Building on the resounding success of its flagship event Unstoppable Africa in 2022 and 2023, the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) (https://GABI.UNGlobalCompact.org/) is pleased to announce its plan to convene leaders from business, government, and the United Nations in 2024.

Unstoppable Africa will return to Cipriani’s in New York on 25 and 26 September 2024 on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

In addition, the United Nations Global Compact which coordinates GABI on behalf of the UN system, plans to engage with business leaders at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda on 16-17 May and at the African Union mid-year coordination meeting on 18 July in Accra, Ghana.

“Now in its third year, the Global Africa Business Initiative is maturing into a year-round private sector-led initiative. GABI is a platform that puts Africa in its rightful place at the heart of the global economy and positions the continent as the premier destination for business, trade, and investment,” said Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact.

Under the leadership of UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, GABI aims to reposition Africa as a business destination and opportunity for investment on the global stage while also contributing towards the African Union Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Unstoppable Africa 2024 aims to greatly exceed the success of last year’s event, which saw more than 3,000 in-person and online attendees engaging in two days of discussions, solutions, and actions. Attendees included six Heads of State, dozens of business and UN leaders, investors, financial experts, as well as athletes and artists meeting around the themes of Energy Access and Energy Transition, Inclusive Growth and Trade, and Digital Transformation.

According to the Unstoppable Africa 2023 Executive Summary (https://apo-opa.co/3TIUB13), notable outcomes included:

Ghana’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions and generating 400,000 jobs by 2060, and a $550 billion Energy Transition and Investment Plan to lead in sustainable energy and job creation.
The African Development Bank’s partnership with Google to establish a Center of Excellence for coding in Africa, enhancing digital literacy and empowering African youth.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s major strides in the electric vehicle and battery industries, establishing a 1,000-hectare space in Kolwezi with special economic zone status to become a significant player in these value chains.
The International Trade Center’s (ITC) invitation to businesses to join the SheTrades network, a platform promoting women’s economic empowerment that has impacted over 200,000 women entrepreneurs since 2015.
The United Nations Development Programme’s announcement of ‘Timbuktoo’, the world’s largest private-public sector initiative to transform Africa through a new venture financing model that recognizes the fundamental role of startup ecosystems.

Registration and speakers for Unstoppable Africa 2024 will be announced in July. In the meantime, view the video highlights of the 2023 event here (https://apo-opa.co/49mBmjU). For more information on the Global Africa Business Initiative, visit the website (apo-opa.co/3PN3HZI).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Global Africa Business Initiative.

Media Enquiries:
Rosemary.otalor@apo-opa.com
Ekene.nwakonobi@apo-opa.com

The MENA region has recently experienced remarkable progress in digitalisation within the economy, marked by significant achievements. Simultaneously, this advancement has led to an increased vulnerability to growing cyber risks. Especially noteworthy is the growing use of artificial intelligence technology by cyber attackers, along with an increase in state-sponsored cyber-attacks due to escalating geopolitical tensions. This has emphasised the critical need for companies of all sizes and industries to prioritise cybersecurity.

According to Chairman Bedir Sarı, TITLE at BBS Technology (www.BBSTeknoloji.com), a company specialised in cybersecurity technologies, consultancy, and managed security services (MSS) in the MENA region said, “The global digital economy is projected to reach a staggering US$ 20 trillion by 2025. The impact of cyber-attacks can be far-reaching, affecting the security, economy, and politics of nations as they target vital national security infrastructures and critical industries.”

Risks arising from state-sponsored cyber-attacks are on the rise

In the cybersecurity space, various state-sponsored or affiliated cybercrime groups have come to prominence due to their activities with international impacts. Notably, APT28, also known as Fancy Bear, and APT29, or Cozy Bear, are believed to spearhead Russia’s cyber operations. Concurrently, Lazarus Group from North Korea has recently carved out a reputation for itself.

Within the realm of cybersecurity, several cybercrime groups with ties to states or affiliations have gained notoriety for their actions that have had global consequences. It is worth mentioning that APT28, also known as Fancy Bear, and APT29, Cosy Bear, are believed to be at the forefront of Russia’s cyber operations. At the same time, the Lazarus Group from North Korea has recently established a notable reputation.

Highlighting that two organisations specifically targeting the MENA region, namely Elfin and Charming Kitten, operate out of Iran, Chairman Bedir Sarı remarked, “Such attackers strategically target their Middle Eastern rivals to shift regional power dynamics.”

Emphasising the focus on the MENA region, it is worth noting that Iran is home to two organisations, Elfin and Charming Kitten. These entities which operate out of Iran, he remarked, “They have been observed to strategically target their Middle Eastern counterparts, aiming to influence the power dynamics in the region.

Moreover, IBM’s (https://apo-opa.co/3TEFXrP) findings reveal that the average cost of cybersecurity breaches for businesses in Middle East has escalated to US$ 8 million, reaching the highest level in a decade.

Moreover, IBM’s research shows that businesses in the Middle East are facing a significant increase in the cost of cybersecurity breaches, reaching a record high of US$ 8 million, the highest in the past ten years.

Cybersecurity spending to surpass 3 billion

In response, business owners in the MENA region are increasing their investments in cybersecurity. Gartner predicts a significant rise in cybersecurity expenditure, with a projected 12% growth by 2024, reaching a total of US$ 3.3 billion. Cloud security expenses are included in this. As a result, businesses are actively exploring various solutions and services to enhance their security measures, including CTI, Red Team, Blue Team, and Purple Team services, as well as forming partnerships with MSS providers.

Chairman Bedir Sarı emphasised the company’s comprehensive approach, stating, “Our vision on a global scale allows us to provide these essential services across the world.” We offer valuable advantages for SMEs in addressing cybersecurity challenges. We have a deep understanding of the cyber risk landscape in the MENA region, which is a key market for us. This knowledge enable us to safeguard against threats motivated by state or economic interests effectively. At BBS Technology, we take great pride in our commitment to delivering not only exceptional products, but also comprehensive solutions to meet the needs of our clients.

“We are ready to deploy our integrated cybersecurity solutions”

Services that replicate real-world situations such as Red Team, Blue Team, and Purple Team exercises are crucial for assessing and bolstering an organisation’s cyber defence mechanisms, this helps to improve its preparedness for potential cyber-attacks. CTI, moreover, provides in-depth understanding of threat actors’ profiles and strategies, enabling the development of a proactive defence strategy in a constantly changing dynamic cyber threat environment.

Emphasising their in-house developed tools such as Ataguc, Shields Guard, and AtaGuard, he concluded, “These products empower organisations to safeguard their valuable assets by establishing a robust defence against cybersecurity threats.” Considering the current state of security risks, it is clear that there is an increasing demand for cutting-edge solutions provided by companies such as BBS Technology. We are fully equipped to address the advanced and comprehensive cybersecurity needs of companies in the MENA region, regardless of their size.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of BBS Technology.

Contact: 
Bedir Sarı
info@bbsteknoloji.com