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[    {        'caption' => 'President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali at the Castle of Kartaj in Tunisia.',        'col' => 'picture',        'name' => 'f222.jpg',        'url' => '/7/70347-f222.jpg'    }];

With an estimated end deal value of US$ 3 billion, this sustainable initiative will deliver major economic benefits to the local and regional community and a high value investment opportunity to Vision 3 investors. TTC, the first in a planned network of telecom cities, is designed to cater to the location, infrastructural, research and development, educational and support service needs that will allow telecoms and I.T. sector organizations to flourish.

Tunis Telecom City will comprise several business and activity clusters designed to compliment and drive each others' success. The conception of the initiative was driven by two primary factors; the tremendous current and projected growth in the telecoms and I.T. sector and the operational advantages the Tunisian economy can offer. Tunis enjoys a significant local labour supply, a stable economy and close proximity to European markets. In 2007, 'The Davos World Economic Forum' ranked Tunisia first among African nations in terms of political and economic environment, technological progress and utilization of NICT. In the same year, Tunisia witnessed approximately TND 1 billion of inward investment in NICT and more than 8,000 skilled graduates to service the roles created.

Tunis Telecom City will comprise the following clusters:

- An International University of Telecom - Comprised of two main colleges, Telecom Management College (TMC) and Telecom Engineering College (TEC), students will be offered all the education and training necessary to make them the business managers and telecoms engineers of tomorrow

- Telecom Venture Capital - A number of venture capital firms will be invited to work alongside Vision 3 to incubate and provide development capital to early stage telecom companies with the potential of creating significant value

- An International Telecoms Exchange - The Exchange will attract regional and international telecom operators and ISP's to the benefits of agglomerating in a single location, trading internet bandwidth and telecom minutes whilst interconnecting the United States, Europe and Asia

- Technology and Design House - Innovation and the development of long term development and sustainability through the design of integrated circuits, semiconductor telecom devices and software. In addition, a Technology Pilot & Testing Lab Zone will be established to act as a testing facility for internet, mobile, data and all new protocols under development

- Business Process Outsourcing Complex - The complex will include three primary centers, Technology, Consultancy and Outsourcing, and will be a major engine of job creation within TCT

- An Offshore Business District - The district will offer commensurate back-office functions for non-ICT companies and related support and professional services

- Disaster Recovery Centre - The first underground state-of-the-art disaster recovery and data centre in Middle East and Africa region offering a competitively priced telecom infrastructure and the inherent stability of a low risk country

- Multimedia Satellite and Content Farm - This will serve to leverage convergence and offer a Multi-Media Satellite Farm alongside a Wireless Content and Applications Farm

President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali confirmed that the Tunisian Government places great emphasis on the strategic development of domestic sectors with high growth potential, such as the Information and Communication Technology Industry. He also underlined the importance of governmental understanding and support of the tremendous opportunities within such industries.

Vision 3 Chairman, Esam Janahi commented on the initiative today saying, 'The wisdom and foresight of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is well known. We are delighted to be embarking on an innovative infrastructure initiative that promises to deliver commercial and socio-economic benefits to the region. The global telecoms sector promises huge growth and Tunisia is extremely well placed to capitalize on current trends. Tunis Telecom City will offer an excellent platform for global players in the industry and a new centre of international connectivity.'

Gulf Finance House (GFH)
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