Tunisia Chamber of Commerce, Tunisia Chamber of Industry, Tunisia Chamber of Industries

Official Name

Tunisian Republic

Capital

Tunis

Currency

Tunisian dinar (TND)

Population

July 2005 estimate 10,102,000 (78th)

Main Languages

Arabic

Total GDP

2007 estimate $ 97.74 billion (60th)

Main Economic Sector

Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important Head of the State agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, petroleum, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of economic affairs, whilst still heavy, has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt.

Trade Relation

Indo-Tunisian relations have been friendly and free of discord. Tunisian leaders acknowledge with appreciation the strong support that India extended to it in its struggle for freedom. In fact, old-time Tunisians still refer to Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru as inspiring figures.

Indo-Tunisian economic and commercial exchanges consist mainly of trading in primary commodities. Trade between the two countries, though significant, is heavily in Tunisia's favour: Tunisia enjoys largest trade surplus with India.

The items exported to Tunisia are tea, spices, cotton and synthetic yarn, rubber products, basic chemicals, plastics and linoleum products, leather products, engineering goods and transport equipment. Bharat Earth Movers Ltd.(BEML), Bangalore, has been supplying heavy duty dumpers to the phosphate mines of CPG, a Tunisian company, for the last five-six years.

KEC Limited, Mumbai, has been awarded a contract for construction of 600 km 225 KV transmission line, worth Rs 200 crore, between Libya and Tunisia. Kudremukh Iron Ore Limited, too, is participating in the El Fouladh International tender for supply of 50,000 mt iron pellets. Telco is in an advanced stage of concluding an agreement with Dalmas, the motor division of the El Mzabi group of companies, for appointing them as their agent in Tunisia as well as setting up of an assembly plant for light commercial vehicles. Sanmar Footwear Limited, Chennai, has selected a local Tunisian shoe company for manufacturing shoes for the British market. This is on an experimental basis, and if it succeeds, the company plans to set up a joint venture. The company is also keen on setting up a textile joint venture in Tunisia for the European market. The state monopoly for import of tobacco in Tunisia, Regie Nationale des Tabacs et des Allumettes (RNTA), has decided to import 400 tonnes of tobacco from Best India Group, Guntur, against the tender for June 1999.

Also, Tunisian authorities are holding discussions with Tisco and GSFC to set up a fertiliser joint venture in Tunisia. BHEL, too, is proposing to set up 'solar energy' projects in Tunisia.

One of the key reasons for Tunisia's recently acquired economic prosperity is the success of various schemes set up to attract investment, e.g., investment guarantee schemes, schemes for suspension of double taxation, duty-free access for industrial products, preferential access for agricultural products etc. Tunisia's economic prosperity is being fostered by the combined effects of large-scale privatisation, globalisation and diversification.

Main Contact in New Delhi

A-42, Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar,
New Delhi - 110057.
Tel. 26145346 / 26145349 Fax : 26145301
E-mail : embtundelhi@dishnetdsl.net

Indian Embassy

4, Place Didon, Notre Dame, Tunis,Tunisia.
Telephone: 00-216-71-787819, 790968
Fax: 00-216-71-783394
Email: embassy.india@email.ati.tn

Chamber of Commerce

APIA
The Agency for Agricultural Investment Promotion
Central Cooperation Department
62, rue Alain Savary, 1003 Tunis-El Kadhra
Tel: (216) 71 771 300 / Fax: (216) 71 796 453
e-mail: Prom.Agri@apia.com.tn
web: www.tunisie.com/APIA

API

The Agency for Promotion of Industry
63, rue de Syrie, 1002 Tunis-Belvédère
Tel: (216) 71 792 144 / Fax: (216) 71 782 482
e-mail: api@api.com.tn
web: www.tunisianindustry.nat.tn

CEPEX

The Export Promotion Center
Centre Urbain Nord, Tunis-1080
Tel: 71: (216) 234 200 / 234 015
Fax: 71: (216) 230 297 / 237114 / 237 325 / 230 648
e-mail : info@cepex.nat.tn
web : www.cepex.nat.tn

ONTT

The Tunisian Tourism National Board
1, avenue Mohamed V, 1001 Tunis
Tel: (216) 71 341 077 / Fax: (216) 71 350 997
e-mail: info@tourismtunisia.com
web: www.tourismtunisia.com

Central Bank of Tunisia

Rue Hedi Nouira, Tunis, Tunisia
Tel: +216 1 34-0588 / Fax: +216 1 34-0615

Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Tunis

1, rue des Entrepreneurs,
Tunis-Belvedere 1000, Tunisia
Tel: +216 1 34-1607 / Fax: +216 1 35-4744
Telex: 14718 tn

Chambre de commerce et d'industrie du Sud (CCIS)

Tel: +216 4 29-6120
Fax: +216 4 29-6121
Telex: 40767 chasud tn

Service d'information commerciale

127, Rue Haffouz, BP 794,
Sfax 3018, Tunisia

Visa Procedure

Passports
Passport valid six months after return date required by all.

Visas
Required by all except the following:

Nationals of the UK, EU, Canada and USA (4 months max) for stays of up to three months, except nationals Australia who do need a visa, and nationals of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the Slovak Republic, who must travel on a recognised package holiday and nationals of Cyprus and Estonia who do need a visa;
Nationals of Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland with a valid National Identity Card on a recognised package holiday;
Nationals of Algeria (unlimited stay), Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Bahrain, Barbados, Bermuda, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria (two months max.), Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Dominica, Fiji, The Gambia* (see note below), Guinea, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Kiribati, Korea (Rep), Libya, Liechtenstein, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic), Malaysia, Maldives, Mali* (see note below), Mauritania*, Mauritius, Monaco, Morocco (unlimited stay), Niger* (see note below), Norway, Oman, Qatar, Romania, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia & Montenegro, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Switzerland, Turkey and Vatican City;
Note: Providing holding a sufficient amount of foreign currency to cover their stay.
Nationals of the CIS and Turkmenistan for package holidays only, except nationals of Armenia who do need a visa;
Transit passengers, provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport or ship. Nationals of Lebanon and Syria must continue by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours after arrival; nationals of other countries must continue their journey within 48 hours of arrival; nationals of Bolivia, China, Colombia, Ghana, Iran, Israel, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka need a visa at all times.
Note: 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: US$34

Validity

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

Application to

Consulate or Consular section at Embassy.

Application requirements

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

Processing time

Approximately three weeks, for both postal and personal applications

Temporary residence

For more information, contact the visa section of the Tunisian Embassy.

Main Tourist Attraction

The capital, Tunis, reflects the country's diversity. Its French colonial past has a far-reaching influence (it only gained independence in 1956), most obviously in its cuisine that blends sophisticated French styles with Arab spice. Older history is evident in the remains of what was Roman Carthage, while the Roman ruins at Dougga and El Jem are some of the finest in Africa.

Despite its location, edging the Sahara, Tunisia is a surprisingly fertile land. It has six national parks; that around Lac Ichkeul is one of only two UNESCO-protected Biosphere Reserves in the world. If you are feeling energetic, the view from the near-deserted village of Takrouna over the mountainous north is stunning. Alternatively, visit a central desert oasis like Zaafrane, Tozeur or Kebili with its hot pools. Finally, when you tire of culture, history and nature, simply lie on the beach and relax at some point along its 1,400km (875 miles) stretch of Mediterranean coastline.

Since independence, Tunisia, first under the 30-year rule of Habib Bourgiba, and now under a government led by Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, currently in his fourth five-year term as president, has pursued a policy aimed at prevention of Islamic fundamentalism. It is also one of the most advanced Arab nations in terms of women's rights, and has by far the most successful economy in the region. This is bolstered by an annual influx of millions of tourists.

Main Imports

---

Main Exports

Tunisia Harbour

---

Airport & Harbour

Most international flights to Tunisia are accessible through six main international airports:

Tunis-Carthage Airport

Tel: (216) 1 755 000 / Fax: (216) 1 781 460

Airport Data
Distance from major town: 8km
Name of town: Tunis
Operating hours: 24 hours
Customs facilities: 24 hours

Passengers Facilities:
Restaurants: 1
Banks: BNA-STB-BS-BIAT
Duty Free Shops: Yes
Medical facilities
Car Hire - Taxis - Buses

Jerba - Zarzis Airport

Tel: (216) 5 650 233
Fax: (216) 5 650 585

Airport Data:
Distance from major town: 10km
Name of town: Houmt Essouk
Operating hours: 24 hours
Customs facilities: 24 hours

Passengers Facilities:
Restaurants:1
Banks:BNA-STB-BS
Duty Free Shops:YES
Medical facilities
Car Hire- Taxis - Buses

Monastir H. Bourguiba Airport

Tel: (216) 3 460 300
Fax: (216) 3 460 318

Airport Data:
Distance from major town: 9km
Name of town: Monastir
Operating hours: 24 hours
Customs facilities: 24 hours

Passengers Facilities:
Restaurants: 1
Banks: BNA-STB-BS-UBCI
Duty Free Shops: YES
Medical facilities
Car Hire- Taxis - Buses

Sfax-Thyna Airport

Tel: (216) 4 241 740 / Fax: (216) 4 241 359

Airport Data:
Distance from major town: 6 km
Name of town: Sfax
Operating hours: 0600-1800 and on request
Customs facilities: 0600-1800 and on request

Passengers Facilities:
Banks: STB
Duty Free Shops: yes
Medical facilities Car Hire- Taxis-buses

Tozeur-Nefta Airport

Tel: (216) 6 450 342 / Fax: (216) 6 450 402

Airport Data:
Distance from major town: 4 km
Name of town: Tozeur
Operating hours: According to scheduled flight
Customs facilities: As operating hours

Passengers Facilities:
Banks: STB
Duty Free Shops: yes
Medical facilities
Car Hire - Taxis - Buses

7 Novembre - Tabarka Airport

Tel: (216) 8 644 100 / Fax: (216) 8 644 437

Airport Data:
Distance from major town: 15km
Name of town: Tabarka

Passengers Facilities:
Restaurants: 1
Duty Free Shops: yes
Medical facilities
Car Hire - Taxis - Buses

Tunisia