Author: Web Desk

Contribute to the enhancement of cybersecurity in Tunisian structures, reduce potential risks and build a robust security culture within companies and the ecosystem" are the objectives of the first edition of Cybersecurity Days, to be hosted in Tunis on February 26-27. Initiated by the "Club DSI Tunisie," a non-profit association that gathers the top information systems managers from private and public companies and the Tunisian administration, this event also aims to bring the professional world closer to the academic world by immersing young talent in the challenges of professional life, said the association in a press release on Tuesday. Over 250 professionals, including Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), and more than 350 students will take part. The agenda includes a hackathon called Capture the Flag (CTF), which consists in a 12-hour challenge spread over two days (January 26-27) that will pit university teams against each other in problem-solving exer cises related to cybersecurity, following the Jeopardy Style model. The challenge will cover topics such as web security, encryption, exploitation, forensics and scripting. Practical exercises in real technological environments will also be incorporated, and the top three teams will receive prizes. Conferences and business workshops are also on the agenda with a view to help improve security skills and raise awareness of CyberSecurity issues, by offering participants the opportunity to learn about and discuss current cyber security issues, in particular regulations, standards and security requirements. The event will also identify and promote best practice for both personal and professional use, and showcase the latest cybersecurity technologies and solutions in use around the world. It will foster collaboration between security experts and stakeholders, and encourage the forging of partnerships and the consolidation of the security community. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Minister of Communication Technologies Nizar Ben Neji and US Ambassador to Tunisia Joey Hood have agreed to hold several bilateral workshops on 5G mobile technologies in the presence of experts from both sides. During a meeting held at the Ministry's headquarters, Ben Neji and the US diplomat reviewed digital cooperation through the organisation of strategic initiatives and activities aimed at sharing knowledge and building capacity in various fields related to information and communication technologies. Among the proposals was the organisation of a technical field visit to the United States by a group of engineers and technicians from the sector to share experience in areas related to cybernetics and the protection of infrastructure and telecommunications through satellites and start-ups. Ben Neji visited the United States of America from July 24 to 28, 2023 to promote Tunisia as an investment destination in the digital sector and to strengthen cooperation in terms of guaranteeing international cyberspac e, in addition to cooperation with US companies in the digital sector. As part of the implementation of the outcome of this visit, the Ministry of Communication Technologies launched, on October 2, 2023, the pilot operation of satellite internet services in Tunis, provided by the Starlink/SpaceX company. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The largest printing equipment exhibition in the world "DRUPA" is scheduled to take place from May 28 to June 7, 2024, at the Dsseldorf Exhibition Centre in Germany, said Director of the DRUPA Portfolio for Printing Technologies at Messe Dsseldorf Sabine Geldermann. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Tunis, she emphasised that "DRUPA" is organised every four years, with the most recent edition dating back to 2016. Geldermann said that almost 140,000 net square metres of exhibition space had already been booked for more than 1,400 exhibitors from 50 countries, including Europe, China, India, Japan and the USA. She went on to say that the global printing and packaging industry is once again relying on DRUPA as the most important business platform and a major global meeting place for the industry. Highlighting the upcoming exhibition, she noted that it will be characterised by intense knowledge transfer and interaction with experts from around the world, focusing on new business models and opportun ities in the packaging sector. Geldermann explained that the decision to hold the press conference in Tunis aims to encourage Tunisian companies to participate as visitors at the "DRUPA" exhibition, with the goal of expanding the presence of North African countries. To achieve this objective, press conferences are scheduled for the upcoming week in Algeria and then in Egypt. Director General of the Packaging and Conditioning Technical Centre (PACKTEC) Abdelkarim Hamdaoui affirmed that the centre is working with the show organisers to encourage Tunisian companies to participate in "DRUPA." He emphasised that the expo presents an opportunity to keep abreast of technological advances in the printing sector, with the ultimate aim of boosting exports by Tunisian companies in this field. Hamdaoui highlighted that there are 257 companies operating in the packaging industry in Tunisia, the majority of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The sector employs 25,000 people and contributes 4% to the GDP of the diversified industrial landscape. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Our field visits to several Tunisian regions have rekindled hopes for a good agricultural season in our country," Abdelmounêm BelSati, Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, said on Tuesday. "We are very satisfied with what has been achieved in the field of agriculture, as we have sown large areas that show positive signs of achieving the goal of self-sufficiency in durum wheat," the minister told reporters on the sidelines of his working visit to the Nabeul governorate. He added that the olive-growing season was progressing well, pointing out that the olive harvest would be between 210 and 220 thousand tonnes, which would be a positive indicator for the mobilisation of foreign currency. This is not to mention, 'the impact on Tunisian consumers of the presidential decision to supply quantities of virgin olive oil for local consumption at preferential prices,' he added. On another level, the Minister of Agriculture refuted reports that there is a serious shortage of feed. 'The informatio n being circulated that there is a major shortage of feed is not true, especially as investigations carried out by the ministry in many governorates confirm that the quantities of feed supplied by the state exceed the needs by 50 to 60%," the minister said. He added that "investigations have shown that a number of farmers are deliberately making false declarations in order to obtain larger quantities of feed.' "We will crack down on speculators and recover all the quotas they have wrongly obtained," he stressed. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The 2nd edition of the International and African Food Industries Expo, 'AGROBUSINESS MEDAFRICA EXPO 2024', is scheduled to take place from November 14 to 16, 2024, in Yasmine Hammamet. According to the organisers, the aim of the expo is to create mechanisms for meetings, exchanges and support for international partnerships in the areas of investment and exports. This initiative aims to address the impact of climate change on food sovereignty and deepen cooperation in the food industry, ultimately ensuring food security for citizens. Products from Tunisian, Arab, African, and European companies will be showcased during this event. A series of bilateral and tripartite meetings will be organised between Tunisian and foreign attendees, complemented by three forums addressing the themes of "Sovereignty and Food Security in Africa: Reality and Perspectives," "Financing Mechanisms for International Partnerships as Drivers of Agro-Food Industry Sector Development," and "Promising Export Markets." The first editi on of the exhibition attracted 250 professionals from 17 countries, including Libya, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Egypt, as well as countries from Africa, Europe and America. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse