Nordic-Tunisian Sustainable Business Forum

Ms. Amel Jrad

Moderator

Mr. Jarno Syrjälä

High level speaker

Mr. Mehdi Kallel

Moderator

Mr. Fethi Hanchi

Panelist

Ms. Aïda Gaha

Panelist

Mr. Thomas Bourliere

Panelist

Mr. Kåre Fostervold

Panelist

Mr. Kåre Fostervold

Panelist

Mr. Karim Dridi

Panelist

Ms. Malinne Blomberg

Panelist

Deputy Director General – North Africa, African Development Bank

Based in Tunis, together with the Director General, Malinne oversees the African Development Bank’s operations in North Africa. As Country Manager for Libya, Mauritania and Tunisia, she also ensures business development, oversees the portfolio, and leads dialogue with governmental, private sector and development partners, aiming at transformative interventions at scale. 

Mr. Aslan Berjeb

President of CONECT

Aslan BERJEB is the President of CONECT, a leading Tunisian Employers' Organization.

Ms. Lina Gandløse Hansen

High level speaker

State Secretary for Trade and Investment 

Mrs Lina Gandløse Hansen has throughout her career worked with international trade promotion. Currently serving as the State Secretary for Trade and Investments since 2022, she plays a pivotal role in advancing Denmark’s international trade interests while integrating sustainability into the country's foreign policy framework.

Ms. Julie Rehoff Hansen

Panelist

Julie is a dynamic leader known for her ability to navigate the complexities of new cultures and functional areas. Julie holds an M.Sc. in Finance & International Business from the Aarhus School of Business, Denmark. Her career at Novo Nordisk includes several finance and strategic leadership roles. Since joining Novo Nordisk in 2011, Julie has successfully transitioned between various functions and areas within Novo Nordisk, showcasing her versatility and adaptability.

With 13 years of international experience in both Novo Nordisk head quarter and affiliates, Julie has developed a strong business acumen and a deep understanding of the diverse business challenges and cultures within Novo Nordisk. Her robust finance background and strategic insights have been instrumental in driving the company's success.

In 2020, Julie took on the role of Vice President and global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Novo Nordisk. In this capacity, she has established, launched, and led the global strategic diversity and inclusion agenda, making significant strides in fostering an inclusive workplace.

In 2023 Julie took up the position as General Manager of Novo Nordisk Tunisia. 

Ms. Maha Ben Hmidane

Panelist

Country Manager and Senior Project Developer, Scatec ASA

Maha is an experienced professional with a strong background in renewable energy development and finance. Currently serving as Country Manager and Senior Project Developer at Scatec ASA, she leads renewable energy projects in Tunisia, focusing on both solar and wind initiatives. Maha’s work includes managing budgets, coordinating due diligence with lenders, and negotiating project agreements, while also supporting the company’s broader strategy for the MENA region.

Before joining Scatec, Maha was the Chief Financial Officer at UPC North Africa Renewables, where she oversaw financial and operational activities for renewable energy projects in Tunisia and Morocco. Her role involved structuring project financing, working closely with international lenders, and contributing to the development of key renewable energy frameworks.

Maha’s earlier roles in financial institutions like Société Générale and Natixis provided her with solid expertise in risk management and financial modeling, particularly in relation to renewable energy investments. With her combined experience in finance and renewable energy, Maha brings a practical and informed perspective to discussions around sustainable energy and project development.

Dr. Daniel Westlén

High level speaker

State Secretary to Minister for Climate and the Environment

Dr. Daniel Westlén serves as state secretary to Romina Pourmokhtari, the Swedish minister for Climate and the Environment. With electricity and heat decarbonised since long back, his focus in the climate field is to put conditions in place for the decarbonisation of transport and industry, mainly a fossil-free expansion of the power system and efficient licensing processes. In the environmental field Dr. Westlén puts a lot of effort into improving the situation of the environment in the Baltic Sea and into preserving biodiversity.

Mr. Niklas Kabel

Panelist

Senior Partner & Chief Operating Officer at Voluntas

Niklas Kabel is Senior Partner & Chief Operating Officer at Voluntas. He is globally responsible for the delivery of value to Voluntas' partners through meaningful fact-based and innovative organizational, policy, and programmatic advisory. Voluntas has a global team of professionals with offices in Beirut, Copenhagen, Oslo, Kyiv, Munich, Mumbai, Nairobi, and Tunis.

Mr. Omar Bouzouada

Director General of the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation

Graduate of the National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT), Engineer in Electrical Engineering in 1991.

Her Excellency Mrs. Fatma Thabet Chiboub

Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy in Tunisia

Her Excellency Mrs. Fatma Thabet Chiboub is the current Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy in Tunisia. With over three decades of experience in the public sector, she has held various senior positions, actively contributing to the development of national economic and industrial policies.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics, with a specialization in Economic Policies, obtained in 1985 from the Faculty of Law and Political and Economic Sciences of Tunis. Her academic background is enriched by numerous specialized certificates from renowned institutions in China, South Korea, Japan, France, and Kuwait, covering fields such as national defense, industrial development, and economic reforms.

Before her ministerial appointment, Mrs. Thabet Chiboub held strategic roles, including Director General of Enterprise Supervision, Director General of the Upgrading Office, and President and CEO of the Bizerte Economic Activity Park. She also led the Office of Cooperation and External Relations, playing a key role in trade negotiations and industrial cooperation initiatives.

Throughout her career, she has participated in the development of crucial policies for Tunisia, including partnership and free trade agreements with the European Union, industrial zone development, and the national export and investment strategy. Her expertise and dedication have significantly contributed to strengthening Tunisia's economic integration on the international stage.

Mrs. Thabet Chiboub is married and a mother of two daughters, balancing her professional career with a fulfilling family life.

Mr. Terje Osmundsen

High level speaker

CEO, Empower New Energy

Terje also has a background in politics and government, including working as the Chief Political Adviser to the Prime Minister. Terje is an acknowledged author, thought leader and public speaker.

Mr. Jalel Tebib

General Manager, FIPA

Jalel Tebib has held several significant positions within FIPA, including roles such as General Promotion Officer and Officer for the Promotion of High-Tech Sectors. He led the agency's representation in London in 2014 and in Germany in 2017. In 1996, he served as the Head of the Studies and Legislation Department on Direct Taxes at the General Directorate of Studies and Fiscal Legislation within the Ministry of Finance.

Mr. Faycel TARIFA

CEO, STEG

Before his appointment on September 22, 2023, as Chairman and CEO of STEG, Faycel TARIFA served as the Central Director of Electricity Transmission Networks at STEG. Alongside his responsibilities at STEG, and leveraging his expertise in electricity transmission and distribution, renewable energy, and risk management, Faycel TARIFA led numerous projects in African countries, focusing on the construction of transformer stations (AIS and GIS) and high-voltage transmission lines. He was also a trainer in the operation of high-voltage and medium-voltage equipment and the management of the electrical system.

Faycel TARIFA is an engineer with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the National School of Engineers of Sfax (ENIS), which he obtained in 1988. In 2016, he earned his DEA (Diploma of Advanced Studies) in Signal Processing and Telecommunications from the National School of Engineers of Tunis (ENIT). Additionally, he completed an International MBA from Dauphine/IAE (formerly Sorbonne) in 2015, with a focus on Strategy, Finance, Marketing, Accounting, International Economics, Information Systems, Lean Management, and Intercultural Management.