Update November 2000: Tunisia

1. Introduction

In the last quarter, the main topic of discussion is the launch of the e-Dinar. Tunisians have continued focusing their interests on the e-commerce industry. Many discussions have been organized dealing with the issue of electronic commerce and the Internet. The Government has made possible with the passing of the Bill on Electronic Commerce that had been put on the agenda of the parliamentary meeting for July, the initial infrastructure for the instigation of e-commerce.

2. Last Developments in the promotion of IS

2.1 CALL Actions

On August 29 a new electronic currency was launched, the "e-Dinar". The Tunisian government as an easier method of payment has instigated this new currency for university students paying their tuition fees. This new concept combines the services of the Internet and commerce, thereby providing students with easier and safer transaction modes of payment. Students are able purchase the e-Dinar from the Post Office. ATI (the Tunisian Internet Agency) has laid the foundation and software making the e-currency a reality. ATI ensures that the transactions are secure through the induction of the program "e-Tijara".

2.2 COMM Actions

In early July, the Minister of Communication, Mr Ahmed Friaa, held a conference on "Economic Challenges of New Technologies" in Tunis. The Minister pointed out his Ministry's intentions of modernizing and diversifying the infrastructure through the adoption of new technologies. His aim is for Tunisia to become one of the most technologically advanced countries within the Mediterranean region by 2001.

The weekly magazine "Réalités" organized a seminar dealing with issues on digital commerce in early July in Tunis. Topics of discussion were on the direction of information technology, its degree of expansion, the cost of the hardware, and e-commerce. Guest speakers who were invited were Mr Franco Bernabe, former CEO of Italia Telecom, and Mr Ahmed Mahjoub, General Manager of Tunisie Telecom.

On July 7, a seminar on "The Financial Market in the Internet Era" was held and organized by the Financial Market Council. The agenda consisted of the stakes in digital commerce for Tunisia, the emergence of the Internet in the financial market, general framework of electronic transactions, transactions via the web, regulation and monitoring of the financial market in the Internet Era, and the disclosure of information through the Internet. The Minister of Finance, Mr Taoufik Baccar, pointed out the establishment of an e-commerce committee in order to further develop electronic trade within Tunisia.

On September 26, the Tunisian Industry, Trade and Craft Union (UTICA) organized a briefing meeting for the president of the Employers' Organisation, Mr Hedi Djilani, and for local businessmen. At this briefing, both the Minister of Communication, Mr Ahmed Friaa, and the Minister of Commerce, Mr Mondher Zenaidi, made presentations. Mr Friaa spoke of the new electronic currency, the e-Dinar, and he indicated that the national strategy on the development of data transmission depends upon:- the modernization of the existing infrastructure, the instigation of an appropriate legal framework to support data transmission, adequate training regarding this field, the adaptation of the code relating to the obligations and contracts required for digital commerce, the legalization of the electronic signature and documents, and the development of human resources for the communications sector. Mr Zenaidi mentioned that Tunisia has to begin to adopt the new technologies arising and that these technologies allows for more efficiently run businesses, thus aiding at the increase of profits and the further development of businesses. Furthermore, Mr Zanaidi also pointed out that the rate at which businesses in Tunisia are connecting to the Interet is rather slow and that the future lies in this new means of business (electronic). He used examples from the international business environment in order to elaborate and highlight the role electronic plays. Also at this meeting, various pilot projects relating to the use of virtual currency within administrative and commercial services were presented. The success of the e-Dinar has evoked interest from other sectors.

2.3 PUBL Actions

In the last quarter reports, a Bill on E-Commerce was going to be included on the agenda for the next parliamentary meeting. The meeting was held and on July 27, 2000 the Bill was passed. The Bill on E-Commerce was a three yearlong study, conducted by the National Commission for Electronic Trade, under the auspice of the Minister of Communication, Mr Ahmed Friaa, entailing the study of electronic commerce and hence the drafting up of the legal structure for the submission to parliament. The Bill on E-Commerce includes issues such as the transfer of electronic documents and signatures.