Update July 2000: Tunisia

1. Introduction

The Tunisian government has made increased efforts to enhance its international ties during the last quarter. Many agreements have been made with various countries relating to Communications and Technologies. The Minister of Communication, Mr Ahmed Friaa, has been at the forefront of the international efforts. In April, he has signed a verbal agreement with Algerian Minister, Mr Mohamed Maghlaoui for the collaboration of the two countries in the above mentioned fields. The Algerian Minister also found the opportunity to visit the Technological Park, which has been set up by the Ministry of Communication. In June, Mr Friaa held a working session in Tunis with the Secretary of State in charge of Post and Communication of Morocco in order to re-inforce bilateral cooperation between the two countries concerning communications. Tunisian bodies have also approached Japan in order to utilize Japanese technologies within various fields such as oceanology, biotechnology and telecommunications. In May (14 - 17), the Minister of International Cooperation, Mr Fethi Merdassi, visited Japan to strengthen the bilateral ties already established between Japan and Tunisia concerning new information technologies. On April 28, Tunisie Telecom signed a contract with Thuraya (global satellite telecoms service provider of the United Arab Emirates) with the right to distribute and market Thuraya's products and services in Tunisia (user terminals and SIM cards, and to oversee customer care aspects such as billing and pricing).

Back in Tunisia, the Minister of Communications has been actively developing the Telecommunications sector. He has issued a "call for proposal" dealing with the Internet. Furthermore, he has shown a specific interest in the upgrading of the Post Offices with IT applications. In the meantime, many workshops and exhibitions were organized focusing on the Internet, Telecommunications and E-commerce.

2. Last Developments in the promotion of IS

2.1 CALL Actions

The Minister of Communication, Mr Ahmed Friaa, announced in June that there would be a "call for proposal" for the approval of new Internet Service Providers. Until then the market will still consist of two operators (Planet Tunisie and 3S Global Net).

The Minister of Communications, Mr Ahmed Friaa, has set up a project where the consolidation of communication networks and the Post are to be realized. The project intends to strengthen the electronic data transmission, and to create tele-working centers so citizens can utilize this new form of work mode. Mr Friaa, in late April, informed President Zine El Abidine Ali of the purpose and structure encompassing the project.

2.2 COMM Actions

SERST organized a EUMEDIS workshop on June 20-21 at the Parc Technologique des Communication. The main purpose of the workshop was to try and present Tunisian proposals within the EUMIDIS context. Mr Nejib Abida from IRSIT made a speech presenting the ESIS Initiative to the attendees of the workshop and to the working groups that been categorized in relation to: education, health, culture, industry and tourism. Mr Abida also distributed promotional material and questionnaires to these groups.

Between 4 and 8 of April, an exhibition was held at the Hall of the International Fair of Sfax. This exhibition named "SIB SFAX’2000 – 9th Computer, Office Automation and Telecommunication Exhibition" was open to the professionals and the general public. The Sfax International Fair Association organized the event in order to exhibit computer equipment, office automation, and communication & software applications (to name a few).

The National Commission on Distance Education (Internet and Education) under the auspice of Mr Ahmed Friaa, Minister of Communication held a meeting on April 13 to discuss the details of a pilot project on distance education being instigated by this Commission. All participants of the project presented a technical proposal at this meeting. These participants include ISETCOM, ATI, IRSIT, CERT, SUPCOM, SOTETEL, ONP and Tunisie Telecom, each being allocated specific tasks from preparing a technical study and installing a model to collecting course contents and evaluating the financial aspects.

The Minister of Social Affairs, Mr Chedli Neffati, organized a two-day forum in May regarding Tunisian Scientific Competences. The Minister of Higher Education, Mr Sadok Chaabane informed the participants of a site for the exchange of information called "Electronic Academy". This site will allow the browser to find information on the structures of the universities, profiles on the managing staff, the courses being offered, and will be a means of exchange of communication between Tunisian universities and Tunisian experts abroad. Also at this forum, the Minister of Public Health, Mr Hedi Meneighed, outlined the initiatives taken between medicine and communication technologies such as tele-radiology.

A seminar titled "All In One Network" was organized by SUPTELEOM, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication and the Ministry of Commerce. The seminar was held on May 17 & 18 at the La Palace Hotel, in Gammarth. The issues discussed were on the Internet and E-commerce and security issues regarding VoIP, mobile and 3rd Generation, WAP, and Access and Fibre-optic networks.

Under the aegis of the Tunisian Ministry of industry, the 3rd Arab Congress and Exhibition of Electronics, Telecommunications and Computing (ARAB ELECTRONICS) was held between 25 & 27 of May. The event was organized by the Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organization (AIDMO) and Societe des Foires Internationales de Tunis at the Parc des Exposition et Centre de Commerce International de Tunis. The exhibition was open to Arabic and international companies, stemming from electronics, telecommunications and computing sectors enabling for these companies to show their latest innovations, to promote their specific markets and to develop partnerships on an Arab and International scale.

On 10th June, the committee of the COI (Couseil de l'Ordre des Ingenieurs) and the National School of Engineers of Monastir organized a seminar on the topic "Internet and E-commerce". The seminar focused on the study of the legal and organizational aspects of e-commerce. The opportunities offered by the Internet and networks were highlighted, allowing engineers to be informed on the latest technological advancements.

2.3 SURV Actions

The Minister of Communication, Mr Ahmed Friaa, announced in June that soon the preliminary results of the technical-economic feasibility study on Tunisian integrated satellite services would be presented soon to the government. Mr Friaa was "very pleased" with the initial results, which were carried out by the Space Unit of the Technological Communications Park.

2.4 PUBL Actions

Mr Ahmed Friaa, the Minister of Communications denied privatization rumours of Tunisie Telecom. The Minister, instead announced his intentions to float the company in the Stock Exchange. Furthermore, the Minister seems to be heavily restructuring the responsibilities of the Post Offices. He has announced a number of plans to equip the post offices with various services and facilities. One of these is the instillation of 46 ATM machines. Another is the prospects of e-commerce and the creation of a virtual currency. This has been one issue included in the next bill on e-commerce for the next parliamentary meeting.

At the Ministerial Council, a commission presented their plan of action regarding tele-working, e-banking and on-line enrollment. This plan outlines the issues that need to be considered in order for these services to become operational, encompassing security and operational factors. These ideas are still in the preliminary stages of discussion, however, they are being heavily considered to become pragmatised in the near future.

2.5 EXPE Actions

In May, the Code of Communication project was the main topic of discussion. This project concerns the updating of the legislative laws within the communications framework. The last Code of Communications was last updated back in 1977. The project will be presented at the next Ministerial meeting in its final form.