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Middle East and North Africa
Tunisia |
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Last reviewed: 11 August 2009 |
Country information
Area: 162,155 sq km
Population: 10.5 million (2008)
Capital City: Tunis
People: Arab (98%), European (1%), Other 1%
Languages: Arabic and French
Religion(s): Muslim (98%), Christian (1%) and Other (1%)
Currency: 1 Tunisian dinar (TND) = 1000 millimes
Major political parties: Rassemblement Constitutionnel Democratique (RCD)
Government: Republic
Head of State: President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali
Prime Minister/Premier: Mr Mohamed Ghannouchi
Foreign Minister: Mr Abdel Whahhab Abdullah
Membership of international groups/organisations: Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA), Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT), African Development Bank (AfDB), Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), Arab League (AL), Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), African Union (AU), Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC - observer), Customs Cooperation Council (CCC), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Group of 77 at the United Nations (G-77), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Criminal Court (ICC), International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM), International Development Association (IDA), Islamic Development Bank (IDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS), International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Maritime Organisation (IMO), International Maritime Satellite Organisation (Inmarsat), International Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (Intelsat), International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), International Organisation for Migration (IOM), International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), UN Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (MIPONUH), UN Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), Organisation of American States and the Community of Andean Nations (OAS - observer), Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Organisation for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE - partner), United Nations (UN), UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), World Health Organisation (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), World Tourism Organisation (WtoO), World Trade Organisation (WtrO).
ECONOMY
Basic Economic Facts
GDP: US$40.35 billion
GDP per head: US$3,907
Annual Growth: 5.1% (2008)
Inflation: 5.1% (2008)
Major Industries: Agriculture, mining (particularly phosphate for export, oil and gas for home use), tourism, textiles, footwear, food, beverages.
UK Exports to Tunisia: £218 million (2008) up 103% on 2007
UK Imports from Tunisia: £395 million (2008) up 106% on 2007
Major trading partners: Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Maghreb countries and UK.
Exchange rate: £1= 2.21 dinars (July 2009), $1= 1.34 dinars (July 2009)
*Source: International Monetary Fund, June 2009
UK Trade & Investment Country Profile: Tunisia
HISTORY
Tunisia became part of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th Century and was a French protectorate from 1881 to 1956. Granted independence as a constitutional monarchy, it became a republic in 1957. Habib Bourguiba, who led the independence movement, became the first President. He was replaced in November 1987 by the then Prime Minister, Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, who is still in power.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Tunisia has followed a moderate, non-aligned course in its international relations, playing an active role in supporting the Middle East Peace Process. Tunisian peacekeepers have participated in UN operations in Cambodia, Namibia, Rwanda and Burundi. Contingents are currently serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea and Kosovo.
Tunisia signed an Association Agreement with the EU in 1995, which entered into force in 1998. This was the first such accord between the EU and a Mediterranean partner. Under the agreement, Tunisia is gradually removing barriers to trade with the EU and continues to develop closer ties with the EU.
Tunisian Relations with the UK
Diplomatic Representation
We have full diplomatic relations with Tunisia. Tunisia is represented in London by Her Excellency Mrs Hamida Mrabet Labidi. Our Ambassador to Tunis is His Excellency Mr Christopher O'Connor.
Aid
There is no UK bilateral aid programme in Tunisia, although we contribute a significant proportion of the EU's development assistance.
Recent Visits
Inward
- Tunisian Minister for Development & International Co-operation, Mr Mohamed Jouini, visited the UK in May 2008.
- Tunisian Foreign Minister Mr Abdelwaheb Abdallah visited London on 10 and 11 December 2007.
- Montasser Ouiali, Minister for Technology and Communications visited the UK 23 and 24 May 2005.
- Tunisian Foreign Minister Mr Abdelbaki Hermassi visited London on 1 March 2005.
- Hatem ben Salem, Tunisian Minister for Europe visited London in February 2005.
- Saida Chtioui, Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited the UK on 30 June 2004.
- Abdallah Zouari, Tunisian Minister for Tourism visited the UK in May 2004.
- Mohamed Nouri Jouini - Tunisian Minister for Development & International Co-operation visited the UK in March 2004.
Outward
- The Duke of York, Special Representative for Trade & Investment, visited Tunisia in May 2009.
- Bill Rammell, FCO Minister of State responsible for relations with North Africa, visited Tunisia in February 2009, to co-chair the first meeting of the UK-Tunisia bilateral forum.
- Tony McNulty, Home Office Minister, visited Tunisia in February 2008.
- The Lord Mayor of London visited Tunisia in February 2005.
- Baroness Symons, FCO Minister responsible for UK relations with North Africa, visited Tunisia in September 2003 and January 2005.
- Mike O'Brien, the former FCO Minister for Trade, visited Tunisia in July 2004.
- Adam Ingram, Minister for the Armed Forces, visited Tunisia in May 2004.
- The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester visited Tunisia in April 2004 to formally open the new British Embassy building in Tunis.
GEOGRAPHY
(34 00 N 9 00 E)
The Republic of Tunisia lies in North Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Algeria to the west, and Libya to the south east.
TRADE AND INVESTMENT WITH THE UK
UK exports to Tunisia were worth £218 million in 2008 (an increase of 103% compared to 2007), while Tunisian exports to the UK were worth £395 million (an increase of 106% compared to 2007). Major British companies present in Tunisia include BG Group (the largest foreign investor in Tunisia), Shell, Petrofac and Cairn in the energy sector and GlaxoSmithKline, Coates Viyella and Unilever.
Approximately 300,000 tourists from the UK visit Tunisia annually.
POLITICS
The Head of State is a president, directly elected by universal adult suffrage. The president’s term of office is five years. On 26 May 2002, Tunisia held its first ever referendum on draft constitutional amendments. The figures released by the Tunisian authorities showed a 99.95% turnout and a 'yes' vote of 99.52%. These reforms, among other things, changed Presidential term limits, allowing President Ben Ali to stand again for the Presidency.
In the presidential elections of 24 October 2004, President Ben Ali was re-elected with 94.48% of the vote. There were three rival candidates. In legislative elections on the same day, the RCD, Tunisia’s ruling party, won 152 of the 189 seats in the sole parliamentary chamber, the Chamber of Deputies. Some opposition parties boycotted the elections.
The EU issued a declaration on the elections stating that 'while recognising that the Election Law safeguards female representation in parliament as well as minority views…the overall process leading to the elections on 24 October did not provide a level playing field for contenders'.
The next Presidential elections will be held in October 2009.
HUMAN RIGHTS
For over 30 years Tunisia has implemented a range of successful economic and social development policies. Economic growth and per capita incomes have increased steadily. Poverty levels have more than halved since 1975 and illiteracy rates among the under 16s have dropped to below 5%. Mortality rates for infants (under 5) have fallen from 20% in 1970 to 5% in 1990 and 2% in 2007. Women enjoy full rights to education and employment. There are, however, severe restrictions on individual rights and liberties, notably freedom of expression, access to information and freedom of association. The RCD, dominates political life and any opposition activity is heavily circumscribed. We regularly make our concerns known to the Tunisian authorities.
