• GDP: US$34.54 billion (2007).
• Main exports: Clothing, textiles, mechanical goods, chemicals, and agricultural products.
• Main imports: Textiles, machinery, equipment, chemicals and food.
• Main trade partners: France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Tunisia's economy is based around agriculture (main products are wheat, barley, olive oil, wine and fruit), mining (phosphates, iron, lead, aluminium fluoride and zinc), tourism, and manufacturing (chemicals, textiles, machinery, paper and wood). Annual GDP growth was 6.3% in 2007 - an increase on recent years due to developments in manufacturing, agriculture and the services sector.

The government exerts strong control over the economy, and 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.

Despite strong growth, Tunisia has a problem of unemployment (13.9% in 2007), especially among the young. Inflation was 2.9% in 2007.

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.

Most large hotels in Tunisia have some conference facilities. Major conferences are usually held in Tunis or Hammamet.

Agence de Promotion de l'Industrie (API)
63 rue de Syrie, 1002 Tunis, Tunisia
Tel: (71) 792 144.
Website: www.tunisieindustrie.nat.tn

Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Tunis
31 Avenue de Paris, 1000 Tunis, Tunisia
Tel: (71) 350 300.
Website: www.ccitunis.org.tn