Tunis — A 53 million dinar brewery was officially inaugurated on Tuesday in Grombalia, some 30 kilometres from the capital.

The inauguration of the SONOBRA SA (Societe nouvelle de brasserie), the fruit of a joint venture between the Dutch beer giant Heineken and the Tunisian group Boujebel, was made by Mr Abdelaziz Rassaa, the Secretary of State in charge of food industries.

With a capacity of 200,000 hectolitres, the plant will employ 150 people. The Dutch group which operates plants in some 115 countries acquired 49% of the capital of the Tunisian company which produces and distributes drinks, the SPDB (Société de Production et de distribution de boissons).

So far, only the SFBT (Société de Fabrication de bière tunisienne), supplied the Tunisian beer market, which is estimated at 1 million hectolitres a year, with a per capita consumption of ten litres.

The new company hopes to capitalize on Tunisia's expanding market, as well as on the potential offered by tourism in the country.

There are currently some 3000 foreign companies operating in Tunisia, including 2200 companies owned by European, employing 290,000 people.

During the first 9 months of 2008 foreign investments reached 1880 million dinars, of which 1690 million dinars in FDI's and 190 million in portfolio.

The trade volume between Tunisia and the Netherlands is currently estimated at 600 million dinars, making the Netherlands Tunisia's 9 th customer and its 14 th supplier.

Most of the trade between both countries is centred on stockbreeding, agro-food and dairy products.