LO, IMF,
IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIPONUH,
MONUC, NAM, OAS (observer), OAU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UN
Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE,
UNMIBH, UNMIK, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Hatem ATALLAH

chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Rust DEMMING

embassy: 144 Avenue de la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [216] (1) 782-566

FAX: [216] (1) 789-719

Flag description: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red
crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; the crescent and
star are traditional symbols of Islam

Tunisia Economy

Economy - overview: Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important
agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors.
Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has
gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing
privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent
approach to debt. Real growth averaged 5.5% in the past four years,
and inflation is slowing. Growth in tourism and increased trade have
been key elements in this steady growth. Tunisia's association
agreement with the European Union entered into force on 1 March
1998, the first such accord between the EU and Mediterranean
countries to be activated. Under the agreement Tunisia will
gradually remove barriers to trade with the EU over the next decade.
Broader privatization, further liberalization of the investment code
to increase foreign investment, and improvements in government
efficiency are among the challenges for the future.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $62.8 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 5% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 14%

industry: 32%

services: 54% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line: 6% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%:
2.3%

highest 10%: 30.7% (1990)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2000 est.)

Labor force: 2.65 million (2000 est.)

note: shortage of skilled labor

Labor force - by occupation: services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture