Economic ties likely behind Tunisia's exemption from visa requirements
2007-02-06
The recently announced visa regime for all Arabs travelling to Libya will not apply to Tunisians or Egyptians. The exemption is seen as part of Libyan measures to encourage economic integration by easing movement of travellers and lifting restrictions on the use of domestic currencies.
Jamel Arfaoui in Tunis contributed to this report – 06/02/07
 [Getty Images] Libya will not impose the new visa regime on Tunisia or Egypt, Public Security Minister Salah Rajab al-Masmari Rajab announced Monday (February 5th). |
Strong economic ties between Libya and Tunisia were likely behind Monday's (February 5th) decision to exempt Tunisians from new visa requirements. Libyan Public Security Minister Salah Rajab said Monday that Tunisia and Egypt -- two countries that border Libya -- will be exempt from visa requirements affecting all foreign and Arab travelers. The new restrictions were announced last week during an Arab interior ministers meeting in Tunis. The country said the efforts were put in place to fight organised crime and terrorism, as well as to curb illegal immigration and stem the influx of illegal foreign workers.
Although Libya did not elaborate on the reasons for this exception, Tunisians see it as part of recent measures establishing exceptions for Tunisian citizens, with the aim to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
Last month, the Libyan government exempted Tunisians from the stipulation to have 500 Libyan dinars to enter the country.
Tunisians were also exempted from new measures affecting foreign investors. Libya recently decided to implement a Value Added Tax programme, as well as to establish a $50m price of entry for foreign investors. In a move to stimulate economic integration in the region, Tunisian firms desiring to invest in Libya will be exempted, requiring a commitment of only 500,000 Libyan dinars.
Tunisians were pleased by these measures. "We support what analysts in Tripoli believe… All that we ask of our Libyan brothers is for an exemption from the restrictions they place on foreign investors," Libyan-Tunisian Chamber of Commerce Secretary-General Ali Dauadi said, on his return from Libya.
Markets such as the Ben Kardan market would have made visa restrictions detrimental to the economies of both countries. The market is regarded as a de facto free-trade zone, established by local citizens without waiting for political approval. With more than 1,200 shops and 5,000 employees, it is a strong indicator of the volume of trade being conducted along the border.
The volume of planned investment may also have contributed to the easing of restrictions.
On January 9th, then Libyan Minister of Commerce Taieb Essafi announced his country's plans to establish a formal free-trade zone and resort town in the area of Zuwarah Abu Kammash, near the Tunisian border. Essafi also announced Libya's plans to invest $3 billion in the tourism and energy sectors. Speaking to the media in Tripoli, he said Libya and Tunisia are contemplating construction of an oil refinery and two new pipelines, further strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
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أحمد Posted 2007-02-07
I swear this is pure provocation to the others but Libya is the biggest loser. They are putting forward the example of Algerian and Moroccan borders claiming that they have economically lost. Unfair treatment is doomed to failure. We will see how arid your country will be, Kadafi, a leader of your own time!
حسام Posted 2007-02-07
We, the Libyans, have endured the US, European and Arab blockade with much hardship. The first to shut us out were the Egyptians and Tunisians and the crimes they have committed against us in land ports. this is history and I am a big fan of building a wall isolating Libya from our Arab and African domain because we have and still are paying a high price for the claimed Arab nationalism. Death to Arab nationalism.
ساسي جبيل Posted 2007-02-07
Libya is closer to us than any other country in the world!
جبار Posted 2007-02-08
Khadafi has a habit of unilateral decisions. He has on numerous times deported Tunisian, Egyptian, Palestinian brothers and refugees. Today he is imposing visas on all Arabs and Algerians in the world. He has sold the dignity of Libyans to protect his own self and to lift the sanctions against Libya. Now he is blockading himself again without being aware of it. He failed to unify Arabs and Africans and the establishment of the coastal block. He is entitled to experience the opposite in dividing Libya and isolating it from the Arabs and Africa..Kadafi is an obsolete man!
sammy Posted 2007-02-10
re to houssam, i agree with some of what you have mentioned. you said that tunisia did boycot your country well.first you forgot that the only airfiel you did have was the tunisian one, second you were boycot coz of your policy unstable one in the whole world helping and involved in terror, so stop blaming others. but i agree with your point about arab brotherhood and unity, coz that's bla bla bla something didn'texist and never gonna happend.
Mohanmed Bennani Posted 2007-02-11
Congrats Libyans, imposing visas is a great idea. But why this discriminatory measure against Tunisians et Egyptians? Are they less worthy than Algerians, Mauritanians or Moroccans? Don’t forget that when setting up a visa system, discriminatory measures are crucial. Europeans did understand that: - Offices located in neighborhoods without any parking lot; - Very tight opening hours, forcing applicants to gather before a little door; -racist civil servants; - Applications almost impossible to file; What would Sarkozy be without those people who have no ID papers?
Malek Posted 2007-02-13
We are who we are...the tribal mentality dictates almost every aspect of our lives...our ancestors engaged in a catastrophic war against each other for a stupid camel...and obviously we are even worst today than our ancestors. Libyans and Tunisians have so much in common and no body could negate that. I take this opportunity to invite Hossam and Sammy to a tour in southern Tunisia and North West Libya for them to see that brotherhood not only exists but also to have a chance to feel it, see it and touch it. In this new world we don't have a choice... We only have each other...so please stop hiding your heads in the sand.
boualem Posted 2007-02-13
Kadhafi is an old model he has to move and somebody has to come to develop the country not the contrary
Chafik Posted 2007-02-13
But who really wants to go to Libya? There is nothing to do there, except camelback riding and having to deal with poor terrorists and being oppressed by a dictator who lost his brain.
نونيسيليبي Posted 2007-12-17
If Tunisians and Libyans wish, they can be united, Tunisia and Libya will become one of the biggest Arab and world States. Oh Lord.
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