Transport
From The Report: Tunisia 2017
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The transport sector has long played a key role in Tunisia’s development given the country’s focus on exports and tourism. A combination of low logistical costs and proximity to European markets helped it attract visitors and export everything from olive oil to airplane components. As part of the Tunisia 2020 strategy, the government has been looking to regain logistical competitiveness and appears to be on track to do so, with private investors pledging approximately $15bn in infrastructure investments during the November 2016 Tunisia 2020 Conference. However, following through with the development strategy will depend on the government’s ability to attract further foreign investment, improve the business climate and channel the social aims of trade unions. The transport sector is crucial for Tunisia to restore confidence, recover its role as an industrial workshop for Europe, and convert itself into a key logistics hub between Europe and Africa.

This chapter contains interviews with Anis Ghedira, Minister of Transport; and Anis Riahi, General Manager, Express Air Cargo.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Ship shape: The country is diversifying its logistics offerings
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The transport sector has long played a key role in Tunisia’s development, given the country’s focus on exports and tourism. A combination of low logistical costs and proximity to European markets helped the country attract visitors and export everything from olive oil to airplane components. Foreign tourist inflows increased 23.6% in the first two months of 2017, while exports were up 4.7% in the same period. In total, the transport sector drew in €2bn in 2016, accounting for about…

Interview

Partnering for growth: Anis Ghedira, Minister of Transport, on working with the private sector to increase efficiency
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Interview:Anis Ghedira What are the most pressing issues in terms of Tunisia’s transport infrastructure? ANIS GHEDIRA: Despite past government investment, Tunisia’s transport infrastructure suffers from serious deficiencies in terms of capacity, operation, maintenance and the adaptation of technological advances, all of which have led to additional costs in the transport and logistics sectors. Tunisia’s trains, ports and airports face a number of difficulties. For example, Tunisia has…

Analysis

Carried away: New developments in urban transit infrastructure
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As can be seen in so many other cities in the MENA region, Tunis has had to grapple with a soaring demand for public transport services, as a result of continued population growth and urban sprawl. The city is comparatively well equipped to handle the growing demand for transit solutions, with a tramway system, Métro de Tunis, operated by the Tunisian Transport Company (Société des Transports de Tunis, TRANSTU), as well as a network of suburban railway lines, managed by the Tunisian National…

Interview

Flying high: Anis Riahi, General Manager, Express Air Cargo, on the future of the airline industry
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Interview:Anis Riahi How can Tunisia grow as a regional and international transport centre? ANIS RIAHI: Tunisia has significant advantages over other countries. Located in the centre of the continent’s northern coast, and thus close to many European capitals, Tunisia is well placed to act as an entryway, not only for North Africa, but also for sub-Saharan Africa. Clients often opt for air transport when deliveries are urgent, and minimising transit times is a high priority. Among these…