(Ecofin Agency) - All sectors of activity attracted more FDIs, except the energy sector. FDIs in the latter were reduced as almost no permit was issued for oil and gas exploration.

Foreign direct investments (FDI) to Tunisia reached 652.9 million dinars ($215 million) in the first quarter of 2023, up 10.2% compared to the same period of 2022, according to data released on Wednesday, May 3 by the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA).

Except for the energy sector, all sectors captured more FDIs during the first three months of the current year, according to the FIPA. 

The service sector attracted the most FDIs, 300 million dinars, between January 1 and March 31, 2023. It came ahead of the industry (234.6 million dinars), energy (116.9 million), and agriculture (0.5 million) sectors.

FIPA also reported that portfolio investments (acquisitions of bonds or shares of a company for investment purposes, without the desire to control it) reached 33.6 million dinars in the first quarter of 2023, up by 917% compared to Q1 2022.