Tunisia (The Republic of)

Tunisia (The Republic of)

History of Relations

An Office of South African Interest was established in Tunis in 1993. After the elections in 1994 relations were formalised with an agreement to elevate the status of the Office of Interest to that of an Embassy. On the 9th of June 1994, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Alfred Nzo, official opened the South African Embassy in Tunis.

South Africa and Tunisia enjoy a very healthy and mutually beneficial political and economic relationship. This relationship was further strengthened in 1996 when the inaugural session of the Joint Bilateral Commission between South Africa and Tunisia was held in Tunis. The third session of the Joint Commission was again held in Tunis during April 2001 and the Commission largely focused on enhancing relations in the fields of Trade and Investment; Health; Tourism, and Environmental Affairs; Arts & Culture, Science & Technology; and political consultations regarding Foreign Relations. The fifth session of the Joint Bilateral Commission will be held in Tunisia during 2006.

On 12 and 13 October 2004 President Thabo Mbeki paid a state visit to Tunisia, and had nine cabinet ministers in his entourage.

South Africa's commercial relations with Tunisia should be viewed in a regional context, using the country as a platform to reach the North African market. Since 1993 the volume of trade between South Africa and Tunisia has increased dramatically from R4, 826,000 in 1993 to 32, 998, 000 in 2004. A high level business delegation, led by the Tunisian Minister of Trade, H.E. Minister Taher Sioud, visited Johannesburg and Cape Town during February 2002 for the second session of the South Africa - Tunisia Business Forum (SATBF).

Diplomatic Representation

South African Representation in Tunisia

H E Mr M S A Masango
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

South African Embassy

Tunisia Representation in South Africa

H E Ms N Dridi
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Embassy of Tunisia

Travel Info

Visa requirements for South Africans

For more information contact the Tunisian Embassy in South Africa.

Health requirements

There are no compulsory immunisations. A yellow fever certificate is commendable.

For further information go to Travelers' Health.

Climate Info

Northern Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate with hot, humid and dry summers followed by mild rainy winters. Southern Tunisia experiences full desert conditions, rainfall is reduced to below 20cm annually and only occurs at rare intervals.

For up-to-date weather information click here.

Currency Info

The Monetary Unit is the Tunisian Dinar (TND), divided into 1000 Millimes. The currency is not freely convertible.

For current exchange rates click here.

State and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings

In October 2004 President Thabo Mbeki paid a state visit to Tunisia with an entourage of nine cabinet ministers.

Bilateral Agreements

If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at 012 351 1000.

Trade Info

South Africa's exports to Tunisia include chemicals, wood, paper and pulp, machinery and insecticides. South Africa mainly imports products such as phosphates and woven fabrics from Tunisia.

For current information on trade statistics between South Africa and Tunisia, visit the website of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa.

Interest Groups and Information

Tunisian Union for Industry Commerce and Handicrafts (UTICA)
103, av de la Liberte
1002 Tunis
Tel : + 216 (71) 780 366
Fax : + 216 (71) 782 143
E-Mail for African enquiries: l.jegham@utica.org.tn
Web Site: www.utica.org.tn

Centre for the Promotion of Exports (CEPEX)
28, rue Gandhi
1001 Tunis
Tel : + 216 (71) 350 344
Fax : + 216 (71) 353 683
E-Mail : cepex.disi@cepex.org.tn
Web Site: www.cepex.nat.tn