Country Profile - Tunisia

General Information

Area: 163,610 sq km (63,170 sq miles).

Population: 9,673,300 (official estimate 2001).

Population Density: 59.1 per sq km.

Capital: Tunis. Population: 1,897,000 (official estimate 2000).

GEOGRAPHY: The Republic of Tunisia lies on the Mediterranean coast of Africa, 130km (80 miles) southwest of Sicily and 160km (100 miles) due south of Sardinia. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and Libya to the southeast. The landscape varies from the cliffs of the north coast to the woodlands of the interior, from deep valleys of rich arable land to desert, and from towering mountains to salt pans lower than sea level. South of Gafsa and Gabès is the Sahara desert. The 1100km (700 miles) of coastline is dotted with small islands, notably Jerba in the south and Kerkennah in the east, and from the northwest to the southeast the coastline is backed successively by pine-clad hills, lush pasture, orchards, vineyards and olive groves.

Government: Republic since 1959. Gained independence from France in 1956. Head of State: President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali since 1987. Head of Government: Prime Minister Muhammad Ghannouchi since 1999.

Language: The official language is Arabic. French is the second language, Italian is spoken in major cities, and English and German mainly in tourist resorts.

Religion: The principal religion is Islam; there are small Roman Catholic, Protestant and Jewish minorities.

Time: GMT + 1.

Electricity: 220/110 volts AC, 50Hz. A two-pin continental plug/adaptor is needed.

Communications:

Telephone: Full IDD is available. Country code: 216. Outgoing international code: 00. Automatic dialling extends to almost every part of the country and covers direct international calls.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 network. Operators include Tunisiana (website: www.orascomtunisie.com) and Tunisie Telecom.

Fax: Facilities are available in main towns, hotels and post offices.

Internet: ISPs include 3S Global Net (website: www.gnet.tn), ATI (website: www.ati.tn) and Planet Tunisie (website: www.planet.tn). E-mail can be accessed from Internet cafes in Tunis, Nabeul, Sousse and Tahar ben Amar.

Telegram: The Telecommunications Centre in Tunis is located at 29 Jamal Abdelnasser. Telegraph facilities are available at the Central Post Office at rue Charles de Gaulle, Tunis; telegrams can also be sent from most hotels.

Post: Airmail to Europe takes 3 to 5 days; an express service guarantees delivery in 4 days or under. Poste Restante facilities are available in main cities. Post office hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1300 (summer, approximately 15 Jun-15 Sep); Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1800, Sat 0800-1200 (winter, approximately 16 Sep-14 Jun); Mon-Sat 0800-1500 (during Ramadan).

Press: Daily newspapers are printed in Arabic or French, the most popular being As-Sabah and La Presse de Tunisie. The weekly Tunisia News is published in English.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Passport/Visa:

Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required?
British Yes No Yes
Australian Yes Yes/1 Yes
Canadian Yes No Yes
USA Yes No Yes
OtherEU Yes No Yes
Japanese Yes No Yes

PASSPORTS: Passport valid 3 months after return date required by all.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:

(a) nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 3 months;

(b) nationals of Algeria, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Bahrain, Barbados, Bermuda, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Fiji, The Gambia, Guinea, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Kiribati, Korea (Rep), Kuwait, Libya, Liechtenstein, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of), Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Morocco, Niger, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Romania, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia & Montenegro, Seychelles, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Vatican City;

(c) nationals of the Russian Federation and CIS for package holidays only;
(d) transit passengers from countries whose nationals do not require a visa to enter Tunisia, continuing their journey within 48 hours (24 hours for nationals of China (PR), Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic), provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Note: 1. Nationals of Australia and South Africa, who do need a visa, can obtain it on arrival at the point of entry. Check with the Embassy for details of length of stay.

Types of visa and cost: Short-stay and Transit: £4.

Validity: Short-stay usually for stays of up to 3 months. Transit: 3 days. For up-to-date lengths of stay, contact nearest Consulate.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Photocopy of first five pages of passport and any stamps. (c) Three application forms completed in black ink and capital letters. (d) Two passport-size photos with full name printed on back. (e) Fee (payable by postal order or cash; cheques are not accepted). (f) Registered, stamped, self-addressed envelope for postal application.

Working days required: Approximately 20, for both postal and personal applications.

Temporary residence: For more information, contact the visa section of the Tunisian Embassy (see Contact Addresses section).

Money

Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TD) = 1000 millimes. Notes are in denominations of TD30, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of TD1, and 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 millimes.

Currency exchange: All banks change money, as do most hotels of three stars and above.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. There are ATMs in every large town and tourist destination.

Travellers cheques: Readily cashed in banks and the usual authorised establishments; to avoid additional exchange rates, travellers are advised to bring travellers cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is strictly prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported although re-exchange of local into foreign currency must be only up to 30 per cent of the total imported, up to a maximum of TD100. All currency documentation must be retained.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Tunisian Dinar against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Aug ’03 Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May ’04
£1.00= 2.06 2.13 2.23 2.27
$1.00= 1.29 1.27 1.22 1.27

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1130 (summer); Mon-Thurs 0800-1100 and 1400-1615, Fri 0800-1100 and 1300-1600 (winter).

Duty Free

Duty-Free: The following goods may be imported into Tunisia by anyone, irrespective of age, without incurring customs duty:

200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 400g of tobacco; 1 bottle of alcoholic beverages; a reasonable quantity of perfume; gifts up to a value of TD100.

Restricted items: The export of antiques is subject to a permit from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

Prohibited items: Firearms (unless for hunting), explosives, narcotics, walkie-talkies, obscene publications, any other items which may be regarded as dangerous to public security, health, morality and so on.

Public Holidays

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year's Day. Feb 2 Eid al-Idha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 22 Hegire (Islamic New Year). Mar 20 Independence Day. Mar 21 Youth Day. Apr 9 Martyrs' Day. May 1 Labour Day. May 2 Mouled (Prophet's Anniversary). Jul 25 Republic Day. Aug 13 Women's Day. Nov 7 New Era Day. Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Jan 1 2005 New Year's Day. Jan 21 Eid al-Idha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 10 Hegire (Islamic New Year). Mar 20 Independence Day. Mar 21 Youth Day. Apr 9 Martyr's Day. Apr 21 Mouled (Prophet's Anniversary). May 1 Labour Day. July 25 Republic Day. Aug 13 Women's Day. Nov 3-5 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadam). Nov 7 New Era Day.

Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Idha may last for 2 days. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.

Health:

Special Precautions Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever Yes 1
Cholera Yes 2
Typhoid and Polio 3 No
Malaria No No

1: A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving from infected areas.

2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Tunisia. However, sporadic cases of cholera do occur in this region and up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix for further information.

3: Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

Food & drink: Mains water is normally chlorinated, and whilst safe may cause mild abdominal upsets. Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of the stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated. Milk should be boiled when unpasteurised (ie if not commercially processed and packed). Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. These precautions should include western-style buffets.

Other risks: Dysenteries and diarrhoeal diseases are common in this region. Hepatitis A is present and hepatitis E is endemic in some areas; precautions should be taken. Lassa fever occurs in rural areas. Mediterranean spotted fever has been reported. Tungiasis is present.
Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, see the Health appendix.

Health care: Health insurance is recommended. Tunisia has a well-developed, if somewhat limited, public health service.

Travel – International

AIR: The national airline is Tunis Air (TU) (website: www.tunisair.com). There are regular direct flights to Tunisia from all over Europe, but no direct flights from Asia, Australasia, South America or the USA. Tuniter also runs services to Hassi Messaoud in Algeria and Malta (see Travel - Internal section).

Approximate flight times: From London to Tunis is 2 hours 30 minutes, to Djerba is 3 hours, to Monastir is 3 hours and to Sfax is 3 hours 15 minutes.

International airports: Tunis (TUN) (Carthage International) is 8km (5 miles) northeast of the city (travel time - 15-30 minutes). An airport-city coach and buses are available. Return is from Hotel Africa Meridien (city air terminal). Taxis are available; a surcharge is levied at night. Airport facilities include a duty-free shop and banks/bureau de change.

Djerba (DJE) (Melita) is 8km (5 miles) from the city.

Monastir (MIR) (Skanes) is 8km (5 miles) west of the city. Buses are available to the city centre. Sfax (SFA) is 15km (9 miles) from the city.

Tabarka (TBJ) is 2km (1.25 miles) from the city.

Tozeur (TOE) (Nefta) is 10km (6 miles) from the city. All the above airports have bars, restaurants and both incoming and outgoing duty-free shops. Taxis are available at all the airports.

Note: A new airport at Enfidha, 100km (62 miles) south of Tunis, is currently under construction and is expected to be operational by mid-2004.

Note: Tunisian currency is not valid in duty-free shops.

Departure tax: None for visitors. TD45 for residents and nationals only.

SEA: Tunisia has seven major ports. SNCM (Ferry Terranée) runs ferry services from France and Italy to Tunisia. For more information, contact their main office in France (tel: (8) 9170 1801; fax: (4) 9156 3586; e-mail: confo@sncm.fr; website: www.sncm.fr). The major routes are Marseilles- Tunis (travel time - 21-24 hours) and Genoa-Tunis (travel time - 21-24 hours). A hydrofoil service is available from Sicily between May and September. Costa Cruises offer summer cruises from Genoa to Tunisia.

ROAD: Theoretically, there are several points of entry by road from Algeria, normally served by buses and long-distance taxis: Annaba (in Algeria) to Tabarka (following the coast road); Souk Ahras (in Algeria) to Ghardimaou and El Oued (Algeria) to Gafsa. However, political unrest means that it is difficult for tourists to cross the border. Entry by road from Libya is via the coast road at Gabès, via Ben Gardane and Ras Ajdir.

Travel – Internal

AIR: Tuninter runs regular services seven to eight times a day between Tunis and Djerba airports (flight time - approximately 1 hour). There is a daily flight to Sfax from Tunis Tuesday to Friday, with two flights on Monday. There are flights to Tozeur on most weekdays. Tuninter is represented internationally by Tunis Air (tel: (020) 7734 7644). Prices are reasonable and services are normally heavily subscribed, so it is advisable to book ahead.

SEA: Ferries operate between Sfax and the Kerkennah Islands twice daily, and between Jorf and Jerba Island regularly during the day.

RAIL: Regular trains (run by SNCFT) connect Tunis with major towns. The main route is between Tunis and Gabès, via Sousse, Sfax and Gafsa. It is essential to purchase a ticket before boarding the train or double the fare may be charged. Several daily trains run on each route, many with air-conditioned accommodation and a buffet. The superb views of the Selja Gorge can be seen from the Lezard Rouge (Red Lizard), a restored old-fashioned train that runs daily between Metaloui and Redeyef. It is highly advisable to book in advance, if possible, especially for the more popular air conditioned routes.

ROAD: Tunisia has an extensive road network. In case of breakdown, the Garde Nationale (National Guard) will assist free of charge (they usually contact the nearest garage). Traffic drives on the right. Bus: The green and yellow coloured national buses, run by SNTRI, are air conditioned and travel daily to most towns across the country. Other services include the intercity buses which are cheap and reasonably comfortable. The destination is written in French and Arabic on the front of the bus. Passengers are allowed 10kg of luggage without additional charge. Each piece of luggage must, however, be registered. Taxi: Long-distance taxis (usually large Mercedes or similar), called louages, are authorised to carry five passengers. They have no fixed schedule and leave their respective departure points when full. They serve the whole of Tunisia. This is the quickest form of public road transport. There are many louage stations and prices are similar to those of buses and trains. Car hire: This can be very expensive. To rent a self-drive car, the driver must be over 21 years of age. A full driving licence, which has been valid for at least 1 year, is acceptable. Speed limits: 50kph (30mph) in towns; 100kph (60mph) on major highways. Documentation: Log books, valid national driving licences and insurance are essential. Both the AA and RAC are affiliated to the National Automobile Club (NACT) based in Tunis. Insurance valid for up to 21 days can be purchased at the border.

Note: For safety reasons, it is forbidden to drive a car in the Sahara without first contacting the National Guard post at the nearest town, giving the planned itinerary and the expected point of exit from the area. Full provisions, a suitable vehicle and an experienced guide are necessary for any travel in the Sahara.

URBAN: A suburban train line (TGM) links Tunis with the northern suburbs. Tunis and Sousse also have a modern and convenient tram system (métro léger). Taxi: Within Tunis and other cities, city taxis are numbered and have meters. The price on the meter is what you should pay. There is a 50 per cent surcharge on night fares. Bicycle: Bicycles and motorcycles are available for hire in most major towns and do not require a licence.

TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Tunis to other major cities/towns in Tunisia.

Air Road Rail
Hammamet - 0.45 1.00
Nabeul - 0.45 1.00
Sousse - 2.00 2.30
Port el Kantaoui - 2.00 2.30
Monastir 0.35 3.00 3.00
Sfax 0.50 4.00 4.00
Gabès - 5.00 6.00
Jerba 0.60 7.00 -
Tozeur 1.10 6.00 -

Note: Travellers to Port el Kantaoui are advised to take the train to Sousse, and travel the remaining 7km (4 miles) by taxi. For Monastir they should change in Sousse for the Metro Leger. For Jerba, they should take the train to Gabès and then the shuttle-bus.

Accommodation

HOTELS: Tunisia has approximately 160,000 hotel beds. There are also several vacation villages within each area. There is a luxury resort in Tabarka which hosts the International Coral Festival of Underwater Photography.

Grading: Hotel accommodation is classified by a star system ranging from deluxe (5-star) to clean but simple (1-star).

MARHALAS: Marhalas are converted caravanserais and often consist of several connected underground houses (in Matmata and Ksars - ancient granaries), where sleeping quarters and communal bathing and toilet facilities have been installed. They also have their own simple, but clean and adequate, restaurants. There are Marhalas at Houmt Souk, Nefta and Kairouan.

CAMPING/CARAVANNING: Tents can be pitched or trailers parked on beaches and in parks with permission from the property owner or from the nearest police or National Guard station. The major campsites are Le Moulin Bleu (Blue Mill) at Hammam-Plage, 20km (12 miles) from Tunis; L'Auberge des Jasmins (Jasmin Inn) at Nabeul, 65km (40 miles) from Tunis, equipped with showers, wash-basins, toilets, hot and cold running water, shop, restaurant and outdoor theatre in an orange grove; L'Idéal Camping at Hammamet, 60km (35 miles) from Tunis, with restaurant facilities; Sonia Camping & Caravan Site at Zarzis, 505km (313 miles) from Tunis; and The Youth Centre of Gabès, 404km (251 miles) from Tunis (summer only).

YOUTH HOSTELS: Youth Hostels are open to all young people who are members of the International Youth Hostel Association. It is recommended to make reservations well in advance, especially for groups. For details, contact the Tunisian National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section).

Sport & Activities

Watersports: Tunisia's clear waters, coral beds and diverse sea life make it a popular destination for scuba diving. Tabarka Yachting Club and the International Diving Centre at Port el Kantaoui are recognised by the World Confederation for Diving and offer fully equipped lessons and trips. Permission must be obtained to dive to the natural reserve islands of Zembra and La Galite. For underwater fishing, it is necessary to bring one's own equipment, and obtain details of conservationist underwater fishing restrictions from the National Tourist Office. Visitors who have brought their own equipment can refill their air bottles at the offices of the Société d'Air Liquide at Mégrine, 7km (4 miles) from Tunis, and at Sfax. Most hotels on the coast have a heated pool as well as a private beach suitable for swimming. Port el Kantaoui is a port of international standard offering mooring for 340 boats, harbour master's office, deep-sea navigation school, sailing school, ship-chandler, boat-rental and a dry-docking area with maintenance shops. Prices are competitive, especially for winter careening services. There is a marina at Cap Monastir with similar facilities. Among other sailing (and water-skiing) centres is Le Club Nautique de Sidi-Bou Said, which has a marina complex. The abundance and great variety of fish makes fishing very popular. Catches include mullet, ray, dogfish, groupers, red rock mullet, crayfish and shrimp. A wetsuit is necessary only between November and April. One can watch coral fishing at Tabarka, octopus fishing off the Kerkennah Islands, sponge fishing at Sfax, on the island of Jerba and in the Gulf of Gabès, and tuna fishing by the experts at Sidi Daoud. These 'fishing spectacles' take place in May and June.

Golf: Golf: There are excellent courses at Port el Kantaoui near Sousse, Monastir, Tabarka, Carthage at Tunis, Tozeur, Djerba and Hammamet. Players of all abilities will find very high-quality facilities. The Open Golf Championships there have already attracted many leading competitors from all over the world. Created by eminent golf-course architects, the courses are dotted with palm, olive and pomegranate trees, and are next to the sea. Each of the 18 holes is on a different kind of terrain, and treated turf has been imported from California. The courses are well suited to all players. There are luxurious clubhouses, equipment to rent and training/practice grounds with putting green. In Tunis, the golf course at the Country Club at La Soukra has recently undergone extension and re-landscaping. More courses are planned for every major resort.

Gliding: The best-known venue for gliding enthusiasts is the Federal Gliding Centre at Jebel Rassas, 25km (15 miles) from Tunis, where gliders and qualified instruction in the sport are available to visitors.

Birdwatching: Tunisia has many species of birds, most of which are protected in national parks. The cork-oak forests of Ain Draham, the lake and marshes of Ichkeul near Bizerta, the coastal lagoons round Tunis and Sousse, the rocky hills and steps from Kef to Kasserine, and the oases and deserts of the south all have their characteristic birds. Birdlife also varies with the seasons; in winter, spoonbills, geese, ducks, robins and wagtails seek refuge from the cold further north, while in spring and autumn, migrant swallows and warblers and birds of prey at Cap Bon pass through on their journeys between Africa and Europe. In summer, Mediterranean species like storks, bee-eaters and rollers stay to nest.

Health spas: There are about 100 hot-spring stations throughout Tunisia - mostly in the north of the country. Many of the spas have been used for this purpose since Roman and Punic times. The most important stations are run by personnel specialised in the medical and paramedical fields, and treatments are available for rheumatism, arthritis, a variety of lung and skin complaints, circulatory troubles and gynaecological problems. More information is available from the National Tourist Office.

Film tours: Tunisia's desert near Tozeur has featured in numerous films, most notably The English Patient and Star Wars. An increasing number of tour operators now offer desert safaris to the locations where these famous blockbuster movies were shot. For further information, contact the Tunisian National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section).

Social Profile

Food & Drink: Tunisian food is well prepared and delicious, particularly the authentic lamb or dorado (bream) couscous, the fish dishes, tajine and brik or brik à l'oeuf (egg and a tasty filling fried in an envelope of pastry). Tunisian dishes are cooked with olive oil, spiced with aniseed, coriander, cumin, caraway, cinnamon or saffron and flavoured with mint, orange blossom or rose water. Restaurants catering for tourists tend to serve rather bland dishes and 'international' cuisine, and visitors are advised to try the smaller restaurants. Prices vary enormously, and higher prices do not necessarily mean better meals. Tunis and the main cities also have French, Italian and other international restaurants. Self-service may sometimes be found but table service is more common. Moorish cafes, with their traditional decor, serve excellent Turkish coffee or mint tea with pine nuts.

Although Tunisia is an Islamic country, alcohol is not prohibited. Tunisia produces a range of excellent table wines, sparkling wines, beers, aperitifs and local liqueurs, notably Boukha (distilled from figs) and Thibarine.

Nightlife: In Tunisia, the theatre season lasts from October to June when local and foreign (especially French) companies put on productions and concerts. International groups appear at the Tunis Theatre and in the towns of Hammamet and Sousse. There are numerous cinemas in the larger cities. There are nightclubs in the major tourist resorts and at most beach hotels, as well as in the big city hotels. Belly dancing is a common cabaret feature and lively local bands often play traditional music.

Shopping: Special purchases include copperware (engraved trays, ashtrays and other utensils); articles sculpted in olive wood; leather goods (wallets, purses, handbags); clothing (kaftans, jelabas, burnuses); pottery and ceramics; dolls in traditional dress; beautiful embroidery; fine silverware and enamelled jewellery. Among the most valuable of Tunisia's products are carpets. The two major types are woven (non-pile) and knotted (pile). The quality of all carpets is strictly controlled by the National Handicrafts Office, so be sure to check the ONA seal before buying. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1600-1900 (summer); Mon-Sat 0900-1300 and 1500-1900 (winter). Weekly markets: A source of good purchases are the markets which are set up on certain days in many Tunisian towns and villages. All the products of the region are displayed, including handicrafts, farm produce and secondhand goods. There are ONA workshops and stores throughout the country where visitors can buy items at fixed prices. ONA stores make a reduction of 10 per cent on the price of goods purchased in foreign currency. No duty is payable on articles up to £900 in value which are shipped to EU countries, only if accompanied by an EUR1 form. Visitors who make a purchase of more than TD5, anywhere in Tunisia, should ask for a sales slip and keep all sales slips, along with bank receipts for any currency exchanged, for customs inspection.

Special Events: The following is a selection of special events occurring in Tunisia in 2004; a complete list and further information is available from the Tunisian National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section): May 19-20 Lag B'Omer Pilgrimage to La Griba, Djerba. May 29-30 Festival of the Sparrow Hawk, El Haouaria. Jun-Jul Tabarka Jazz Festival. Jul Aoussou Festival (International Theater Festival), Sousse. Jul-Aug International Festival of Hammamet (festival of artists); International Carthage Festival. Jul 20-Aug 10 El Jem International Symphonic Festival. Sep Coralis Festival (underwater photography), Tabarka. Sep 5-9 Neptune Trident Festival, Tarbarka. Nov Festival of the Oases (camel racing), Tozeur; Sahara Duoz Festival (desert folklore).

Social Conventions: Arabic in culture and tradition, Tunisia is nevertheless one of the more liberal and tolerant Muslim countries. The nomadic Bedouin still follow their traditional way of life in the southern desert. The Tunisians' varied origins are shown in the architecture, crafts, music and regional folk dances. Tunisia has also developed an international reputation as an intellectual and cultural centre. Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. Hospitality is very important and a small gift in appreciation of hospitality or as a token of friendship is always appropriate. Dress can be informal but should respect the conventions of Islam when visiting religious monuments, ie shoulders and knees must be covered. Outside tourist resorts, scanty beachwear should not be worn. Tipping: 10 per cent for all services.

Business Profile

Economy: Tunisia lacks the vast natural resources of its North African neighbours, but careful and successful economic management has brought the country reasonable prosperity. Annual GDP growth is just under 5 per cent and current inflation is 3 per cent. Only unemployment at 16 per cent is a cause for concern. Agriculture and mining are the foundations of the economy. The main agricultural products are wheat, barley, olive oil, wine and fruit, but other foodstuffs have to be imported. Large quantities of phosphate ores are mined along with iron, lead, aluminium fluoride and zinc. Tunisia is also a modest oil exporter, although this industry is in decline; natural gas reserves are likely to last longer. There is a small manufacturing sector involved in processing organic chemicals derived from petroleum and purification of phosphate ore. Other industries produce textiles, construction materials, machinery, chemicals, paper and wood. Tourism dominates the service sector, though the industry is sensitive both to the regional political climate and, more recently, international terrorism: the latter in particular has led to a recent downturn. According to the most recent figures, over 5 million people visited the country in 2002, contributing nearly US$2 billion to the Tunisian economy.

Government economic policy during the last decade has followed the path of deregulation, including abolition of trade controls, privatisation and making the Tunisian Dinar fully convertible. Tunisia's most important trade links are with the EU whose members (principally France and Germany) account for three-quarters of all the country's trade. Economic relations were strengthened during 1995 by the signing of a free trade agreement with the EU, which is being introduced over a 12-year period ending in 2010. This is similar in content to the association agreements signed by would-be members. Although a considerable diplomatic coup for the Tunisian government, the agreement was part of a wider trend of growing trade links between the southern part of the EU and the rest of the Mediterranean basin. Tunisia is a member of the Union of the Arab Maghreb, the main North African political and economic bloc, and of various pan-Arab economic organisations.

Business: Arabic and French are the most widely used languages in business circles and a knowledge of either is useful. Interpreter services are available. Appointments are required.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1300 and 1500-1745 (winter); Mon-Sat 0830-1300 (summer). Government office opening hours may vary by half an hour.

Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: Agence de Promotion de l'Industrie (API), 63 rue de Syrie, 1002 Tunis (tel: (71) 792 144; fax: (71) 782 482; e-mail: api@api.com.tn; website: www.tunisieindustrie.nat.tn); or Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Tunis, 1 rue des Entrepreneurs, 1000 Tunis (tel: (71) 333 945; fax: (71) 340 796; e-mail: ccitunis@planet.tn).

Conferences/Conventions: The following organisation can supply information: Direction du Marketing at the Office National du Tourisme Tunisien (see Contact Addresses section).

Climate

Climate: Tunisia has a warm climate all year. Best periods are spring and autumn. Temperatures can be extremely high inland. Winter is mild and has the highest rainfall.

Required clothing: Lightweights in summer, mediumweights and rainwear in winter. Sunglasses are advised.