Month: August 2018

Libya an Obstacle on Tunisia’s Path to Stability

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In an interview, Tunisian foreign minister says Western-led action in Libya in 2011 was reckless. Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui says his country is still feeling the effects of what he described as a reckless NATO-led campaign in neighboring Libya in 2011—a military intervention that led to the ouster of dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi but left behind violence and instability. In an interview with Foreign Policy during his recent visit to Washington, Jhinaoui said Tunisia’s security is dependent on stability in Libya but that foreign powers were now using Tripoli as an arena…

Tunisia: Sale Season Fueled by Hopes of Stimulating Domestic Consumption

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Economists in Tunisia have been closely following the economic dynamics of the local markets, especially with the beginning of the sale season early this month. They have also been wondering how these discounts would affect domestic consumption as one of the most important drivers of the economy in light of the economic slowdown witnessed by most economic activities. These summer discounts will continue for six weeks, during which products related to the garment, footwear and household electronics sector are displayed. Around 700 traders have been involved in this activity in…

Tunisia: Migrant Rescue Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA)

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On 13 July an offshore platform near the Tunisian coast received a rescue signal from migrants in the sea nearby. Immediately, an emergency vessel was dispatched to investigate and found 40 migrants from different nationalities on a small boat. Some migrants were rescued from the water, and others from their vessel. With no feedback nor action from potential host authorities, and given the worsening weather situation, the migrants were moved to a Tunisianflagged offshore supply ship. Beginning 16 July, their situation worsened, with high temperatures and shrinking water and food…

Record heatwave points to looming climate crisis for Maghreb

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Temperatures this year are expected to remain above 35 degrees for more than 32 days in parts of the Maghreb. Southern Algeria likely registered Africa’s all-time highest temperature, hitting 51.3 degrees Celsius on July 5, part of a weeks-long heatwave that has turned North African cities into tinderboxes. The record temperatures were made worse by breakdowns in water supplies and rolling power outages, which prompted residents throughout the region to demand government action. In Tozeur, an oasis town on the edge of the Sahara in Tunisia, temperatures reached 49 degrees…

Tunisia Inching Its Way Out of Economic Crisis

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A sort of cold war involving a series of complex issues has been going on the last few weeks in Tunisia between the presidency of the republic and the presidency of the government regarding preparations for the 2019 general elections. The winner emerging from that shadowy conflict is Tunisia’s economic diplomacy, the only quiet force in the country, Middle East Online reported. There are signs Tunisia is inching its way out of its economic crisis and Tunisians have their country’s economic diplomacy to thank for that. Everything that could be…

Can Tunisia revive its tourist industry?

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Seven years after its revolution, the country is luring visitors back with desert settlements and a diverse history In the cool interior of his troglodyte cave, Ali Diglish is speaking at full tilt. The 26-year-old guide from Chenini barely draws breath. Like much of the country these days, this Berber village in southern Tunisia doesn’t get many visitors, so Diglish is seizing his chance. “Before the revolution we had 500 or 1,000 tourists coming each day,” Diglish says. “Now only 20 people come here. There used to be 12 local…

Dubai’s Sokotra Capital Acquires Tunisian Fish Farm L’Aquaculture Tunisienne

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Dubai investment firm Sokotra Capital has led a consortium of buyers to acquire the Tunisian fish farm operator L’Aquaculture Tunisienne for an undisclosed amount. Serving both the local and export market, L’Aquaculture Tunisienne is the largest seabass and seabream hatchery and nursery in North Africa, with a current annual production capacity of 20 million fingerlings and 1,500 tons of fish per year, the companies said in a statement. The firm was founded in 1988 by Si M’hamed Driss, and is based in Sousse.  Now backed by new owners, L’Aquaculture Tunisienne has…

Home’s where the heart is: Tunisia in comeback

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THERE’S a knack to eating a Brik, the traditional Tunisian delicacy of a runny fried egg stuffed inside a triangular case of pastry. And, as I sat under the scorching sun outside an open-air café, I hadn’t got it. You’re supposed to hold the concoction up over your head, take a bite and then let the egg trickle straight into your mouth. Only I missed and splashed a yellow splodge down my clean white T-shirt. “Ha, ha,” giggled my unsympathetic companion, “the yolk’s on you!” Well, at least I hadn’t…

This Tunisian Entrepreneur Is Building A Platform That Will Revolutionize Africa’s Real Estate Market

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From humble beginnings in 2017 to participating and successfully graduating as one of seven selected startups in the second cycle of Flat6Labs Tunis; a prominent accelerator program in MENA, just over a year later, Riadh Ellouze’s creation appears to be pulling down all the stops, surmounting the hurdles, beating the odds, and heading in the right direction. Logis; the Tunisian entrepreneur’s startup, is looking to blaze trails and navigate uncharted courses in its bid to pioneer the creation of Africa’s very own property haven. And with the features and tools it has…

Strengthening ties in the region: UfM S-G received by PM

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Union for the Mediterranenan (UFM) Secretary-General Nasser Kamel stressed that Tunisia, by virtue of its geostrategic position and its close ties with key regional partners, is at the heart of any project bearing the name of the Mediterranean as he was received by  Prime Minister Youssef Chahed. Mr. Chahed, who reaffirmed his support to the work of the Union for the Mediterranean and conveyed the message that the cooperation in the Mediterranean is essential in order to strengthen ties among the countries and the peoples of the region. Secretary General Nasser Kamel…