Econex chooses Leipzig as its new location

Invest Region Leipzig warmly welcomes Econex GmbH: The company aims to build economic bridges between Germany and North Africa — and has chosen Leipzig as the location for this mission.

Econex is led by Tunisian entrepreneur Maher Knani, who brings more than 20 years of experience in the construction and industrial sectors. In his home country, he founded companies including Knani Fluides, a business specializing in technical fluid systems.

Delegation Trip as a Starting Point

In 2024, he visited Leipzig as part of a Tunisian-German delegation within the “Partnering in Business with Germany” programme (implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit – GIZ). The trip laid the foundation for the establishment of Econex.

“I chose Leipzig because of its incredibly rich industrial and commercial ecosystem, which perfectly complements our strategic needs,” says Maher Knani. “We are proud to take our place among the major players in this vibrant region.”

A key factor in choosing Leipzig was the support provided by Invest Region Leipzig. “It was instrumental throughout every phase of our settlement,” emphasizes Maher Knani. For example, IRL facilitated contacts with law firms, banks, and tax advisors.

First Projects Already Underway

Through Econex, Maher Knani now aims to strengthen cooperation between German and North African companies, particularly from Tunisia — for example by facilitating partnerships, providing consulting services and support for market entry and business development, as well as accompanying knowledge transfer processes to enable innovation. The first projects are already underway.

“We are currently finalizing a partnership to represent a German brand in North Africa, launching a production site for a German industrial firm in Tunisia, and negotiating the representation of a Tunisian automotive brand here in Germany,” reveals Maher Knani.

Maher Knani (right in the photo) with Lydia Michel (Invest Region Leipzig)