Tunisia Roundup: Drug trafficking, economic growth, transport railway funding
Italian cuisine in Tunisia
The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World has commenced in Tunisia, focusing on the Italian-Tunisian gastronomic heritage, Ansa It reports. Italian Ambassador Alessandro Prunas inaugurated the event, aiming to promote the Mediterranean diet as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, with a theme centred on health and tradition.
Drug trafficking
Law enforcement in Tunisia apprehended six individuals for drug trafficking during an operation in the Ariana province, according to Daijiworld. The National Guard reported the confiscation of 170 drug tablets, Indian cannabis, and cash, with legal actions pending after discussions with the public prosecutor.
Economic growth
On the economic front, Tunisia's economy demonstrated a year-on-year growth of 1.8% in Q3 2024, buoyed by the agricultural sector, Marketscreener reports. Cumulatively, for the first nine months, the growth registered at 1%, with ambitions set for a 3.2% growth target by 2025, an increase from the 2.1% projected for 2024.
Transport railway funding
The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has embarked on several international collaborative projects in 2024, reaffirming its 50-year commitment to sustainable development. According to Arab News, Tunisia is set to receive a $55 million loan aimed at upgrading its phosphate transport railway network, a critical infrastructure for its economy.
Release of French PHD student
In a notable human rights update, Tunisia has released French PhD student Victor Dupont, who spent several weeks in detention for research related to social movements and youth unemployment. His arrest on October 19 sparked a significant backlash from academic circles, underscoring concerns over restrictions on academic freedom in Tunisia during President Kais Saied's administration. Newscentral reports that Dupont was released on November 12 and returned to France three days later, adding to the region’s discourse surrounding foreign researcher detentions and evolving human rights dynamics.
