COFICERT: Sixth certificate of conformity to MSI 20000 standard in favor of SFBT

Press Release

Paris, 24th of October 2023 – 08h00

Sixth certificate of conformity to MSI 20000 standard in favor of SFBT

After the previous five certificates of conformity obtained in the past, the SFBT (Société de Fabrication des Boissons de Tunisie) is granted, for the sixth time, the MSI 20000 certification, thus positioning itself at the forefront of companies certified according with the MSI 20000 standard in Tunisia. With over 15 years of compliance, SFBT collectively substantiates its commitment to sound financial management and its excellence in financial management practices.

At the outset of this new certification cycle, corresponding to the 16th year of compliance, the French certification body COFICERT issued the sixth certificate of conformity, following the previous one granted by the global certification leader, the Swiss organization SGS. This sixth cycle positions SFBT at the forefront of the rankings in terms of longevity, surpassing both the financial sector and multinational companies established in Tunisia and in the region.

SFBT's continuous compliance with the MSI 20000 standard, validated annually for over 15 years, affirms the quality of the group's fundamentals. The level of compliance measured during the evaluation period and its consistency over time (despite various crises such as the Subprimes, Covid-19, and the war in Ukraine) underscore and prove the group's merit and the quality of its governance. This ongoing commitment demonstrates the sound fundamentals of SFBT, led by the historical duo of Hamadi Bousbia and Mustapha Abdelmoula. With this heritage, the shareholders and stakeholders in general, remain confident in SFBT's ability to continue seeking certification and to maintain its status as a certified company in line with international standards for financial quality.

The project for certification to the MSI 20000 standard was initiated in 2007 by Hamadi Bousbia, with the aim of ensuring the longevity of the certification as a testament to the group's sound financial management. This sixth certificate is a genuine tribute from the SFBT family to its senior member, Mr. Bousbia. The challenge now is to preserve this valuable achievement, especially appreciated by publicly traded companies, particularly in this period of widespread uncertainty.

Souheil Skander and Cristian Mocanu, representing respectively CFC Partners and COFICERT France, officially presented the MSI 20000 conformity certificate to Mr. Mustapha Abdelmoula, in his capacity as CEO and top executive of the SFBT group. COFICERT's involvement occurred during their annual visit under the oversight of IGSF (International Group for Sustainable Finance).

SFBT is a Tunisian group of 25 subsidiaries focused on the production and marketing of beverages. Founded in 1889, the company has gradually developed into a group. Today it holds more than 80% of the soft drink market and 40 to 50% of the mineral water market, allowing it to occupy a leading position in the Tunisian market. SFBT is a key player in the Tunisian economy and the national agri-food industry in particular.

COFICERT is a French certification body specializing in financial and non-financial certifications, operating in nearly 40 countries across three continents. Historically, COFICERT collaborates with and alongside international certification and standardization organizations. The organization brings together experts in governance, financial crime, and sustainable finance. COFICERT provides certification services in the following areas: financial governance (MSI 20000), corporate social responsibility (ESG 1000), anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML 30000), and anti-corruption (ISO 37001).

MSI 20000 is the international standard dedicated to good financial governance of companies and institutions. Certification is an indicator relating to the quality of the financial situation of economic and financial entities, to be promoted among its stakeholders. Born in Europe in the aftermath of the subprime crisis, the MSI 20000 certification is issued by international certification bodies. The standard was  by the MSI Observatory and is governed internationally by the IGSF (International Group for Sustainable Finance).