Tunisia calls for stronger ties with Libya and Algeria

Tunisian lawmakers have called for a more proactive governmental role in supporting Libya’s reconstruction efforts and revitalising free trade zones, highlighting the need to enhance Tunisia’s diplomatic initiatives in the region.

During a recent consultative session with officials from Tunisia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of parliament stressed the importance of reinvigorating economic cooperation not only with Libya but also with neighbouring Algeria, according to an official parliamentary statement.

The MPs underscored the strategic significance of activating free trade zones and advocated for a strengthened role of the Arab Parliament in facilitating coordinated regional action. Discussions also focused on Tunisia’s commitment to supporting Libya’s ongoing political reconciliation process, alongside efforts to boost Maghreb integration and bilateral ties with Algeria.

Libya’s extensive reconstruction needs—estimated by Tunisia’s Export Promotion Center to reach as high as $570 billion—represent considerable investment opportunities for Tunisian companies, particularly in construction, infrastructure, and industrial equipment sectors.

As Tunisia’s foremost trading partner across the Arab world and Africa, Libya accounts for a substantial share of Tunisian exports, with industrial goods constituting approximately 40% of shipments. Meanwhile, Tunisia imports primarily energy resources, iron, and steel from Libya.

Despite this robust trade relationship, the stalled development of the Bengardane Free Trade Zone on the Tunisia-Libya border has hampered economic exchanges. Nearly 12 years after its announcement, progress remains limited to preliminary land development and technical assessments, while other regional actors expand their commercial footprint amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Tunisian lawmakers’ renewed calls highlight the urgency of accelerating regional economic integration and capitalising on Libya’s reconstruction as a catalyst for broader Maghreb cooperation.