🇹🇳TunisiaNorth Africa
Japanese Ambassador honors Habib Bourguiba for 70 years of diplomatic relations
via Business News3 min read
Saito Jun, the Japanese Ambassador to Tunisia, visited the Habib Bourguiba mausoleum and museum in Monastir on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The visit paid tribute to the memory and work of the Tunisian leader and commemorated the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Tunisia and Japan. These relations were initiated under Habib Bourguiba's government. The ambassador highlighted the pivotal role played by the first President of the Tunisian Republic in establishing these bilateral ties, noting their continuous strengthening over the years. This symbolic gesture underscores the enduring connection between the two nations, built upon a long-standing diplomatic heritage.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.
Tunisia is actively preparing for the 2026 summer tourist season, aiming to maintain momentum after a record year with nearly eleven million visitors. To ensure quality, a large-scale operation to survey hotels and inspect tourist activities began in April. Amel Zarrouk, director of product supervision at the Tunisian National Tourist Office, announced this initiative on April 23, 2026, during a visit to the Siliana governorate. The goal is to assess the hotel sector, regulate tourist activities, and prevent issues that could harm the strategic season. While past performance was strong, the focus is now on service quality, facility compliance, capacity, and customer experience in a competitive regional market. The Tunisian tourism sector is largely driven by coastal tourism, which accounts for most arrivals and summer activity. However, this reliance on a seasonal, volume-based model, focused on competitive pricing, limits revenue per visitor. In contrast, cultural, heritage, ecological, and discovery tourism segments offer potential for higher spending, more qualitative stays, and less seasonal activity. On April 22, 2026, Minister of Tourism Sofiene Tekaia visited Siliana to monitor tourism and craft projects, support regional investment, and expedite various initiatives. Siliana, a mountainous region rich in archaeological heritage, natural sites, and crafts, represents a different facet of Tunisian tourism often highlighted in official discourse but less visible to mainst
Louay Chebbi, son of political leader Ahmed Néjib Chebbi, published an emotional letter on April 22, 2026, sharing insights into his family's experience since his father's incarceration. Louay describes the family's gradual adjustment to life without his father, whom he calls a "pillar." He emphasizes his father's unwavering spirit of resistance, both in political struggles and daily life, and notes his serenity despite detention, attributing it to a "paradise within" stemming from a clear conscience. The letter aims to reassure loved ones that Ahmed Néjib Chebbi is "perfectly well" and reaffirms the family's commitment to securing his release. Ahmed Néjib Chebbi has been detained since December 4, 2025, following a final judgment sentencing him to twelve years in prison for alleged "conspiracy against state security." This case has drawn significant criticism, with several organizations citing procedural irregularities and "serious violations of fair trial guarantees." They argue that the charges against him and other political figures are linked to their political stances and activism. Some NGOs have called for his release and that of other political detainees, warning of increased pressure on the opposition and public freedoms in Tunisia. The letter serves as a symbol of a man presented by his family as serene in the face of adversity and a family determined to persevere.
University professor of economics, Ridha Chkoundali, criticized the Tunisian healthcare system on April 23, 2026, highlighting medicine shortages, excessive costs, and the administrative inefficiencies of the Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie Cnam. He argued that healthcare has become a luxury, citing an example of a patient unable to afford treatment. Chkoundali stated that the state is deviating from its social role, which should guarantee access to essential medicines at affordable prices. He illustrated this with a middle-class cardiac patient who faced a three-month medication bill exceeding one thousand dinars, a sum deemed prohibitive for an average household. The patient was unable to pay in installments due to new regulations and could not get a refund for a partial purchase from Cnam, ultimately foregoing treatment. Chkoundali noted that these difficulties now affect the middle class, not just vulnerable groups, and questioned the situation for modest households relying on the third-party payment system, as some pharmacists reportedly refuse to operate within this framework. He also pointed out Cnam's dysfunction, including operating without a general director for several months, and urged the Ministry of Health to investigate disorganization in crowded areas. Beyond healthcare, Chkoundali extended his criticism to the general rise in the cost of living and lax price controls, particularly for agricultural and food products, which further strains household budget
Tunisia and Algeria signed a cooperation agreement on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, to enhance coordination and information exchange, particularly in combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and weapons proliferation, in line with international standards. The signing occurred during a visit to Tunisia by a high-level Algerian financial delegation led by Youssef Bouznada, president of the Stock Exchange Operations Organization and Supervision Commission. This visit coincided with the 20th meeting of the Union of Arab Capital Markets Authorities, where Tunisia, represented by Financial Market Council President Hatem Smiri, assumed the organization's presidency. The agreement establishes annual cooperation programs to solidify ongoing coordination and develop bilateral partnership axes. The visit also highlighted Tunisia's experience in financial market regulation, including supervision and control mechanisms, and aimed to strengthen expertise exchange in investor protection, governance, and transparency. This convention aligns with evolving international standards, especially those set by the Financial Action Task Force FATF, to create a more effective and flexible cooperation framework. The goal is to reinforce the integrity and resilience of both countries' financial systems and reduce vulnerabilities to illicit financial flows. Additionally, the Financial Market Council remotely organized the 20th annual meeting of the Union of Arab Capital Markets Authorities, with par