Tunis: Tunisia's date export revenues rose by 23.5% to TND 587.8 million by the end of February 2024 (5th month of the 2023/2024campaign) compared to the same period of the 2022/2023 campaign, according to a monthly report published by the National Observatory of Agriculture (ONAGRI) on Tuesday. The volume of exports also went up by 18.6% to 92,900 tonnes compared with the same period in the 2022/2023 campaign. The average price also increased by 4.1% to TND 6.32/kg compared to TND 6.07 /kg in the previous campaign. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
Tunisia bags 15 prizes at Mario Solinas Quality Award for extra virgin olive oils
Tunis: Tunisia has bagged 15 prizes out of a total of 33 at the 24th edition of the Mario Solinas Quality Award for extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) from the northern hemisphere, the National Olive Oil Office (ONH) said Tuesday. This is the first time that Tunisia has beaten Spain (12 awards) in this competition organised every year by the International Olive Oil Council. Two gold medals were awarded to "Adonis Olive Oil" and "Domaine Fendri". Alghalia Natural, Maternis Oil and Junca Products each won a silver medal. Two bronze medals were also awarded to Olea Kotti and Cho Compagny. Eight other Tunisian producers reached the finals and won prizes. They were "Um Al Janna", "Spal/ Parcelle 26", "Etablissement Hatem Chaabane", "Garrach Foods Naa", "Tuzmurt", "Barhoumi Olive Oil", "Mediterroir" and "Hinoilev". One hundred and thirteen oils from ten countries, including Tunisia, Algeria, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Croatia and China, took part in this year's event, according to a press release f rom ONH. The oils were submitted by individual producers, producer associations and packaging companies. The Mario Solinas Quality Award, which has been running since the 2000/2001 campaign, aims to highlight the quality of EVOOs produced worldwide. The competition encourages individual producers, producer associations and packers in producer countries to market vegetable olive oils with harmonious organoleptic characteristics. It also aims to raise consumer awareness of this unique product and encourage them to recognise and appreciate the sensory attributes of these quality olive oils. The awards ceremony will take place during the 119th session of the IOOC Council of Members in June 2024, according to the International Olive Oil Council. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
Trade balance in fish products posts surplus of TND 73.8 million in January
Tunis: The trade balance in fish products posted a surplus of TND 73.8 million in January, in excess of 178.5% of January 2023 figures (TND 26.5 million), data released Tuesday by the National Observatory of Agriculture (French: ONAGRI) show. Tunisia exported a total of 3,500 tonnes worth TND 96 million in January 2024, edging up 88.2% in value and 20.7% in volume compared to the same month last year. ONAGRI also reported a 55% rise in export prices in comparison with January 2023. The most exported species are fish (2,300 tonnes), canned and semi-curedfish (500 tonnes) and shellfish (450 tonnes). Spain comes on top of Tunisia's export destinations with (37%), followed by Italy (19%) and Japan (16%). Meanwhile, the value of imports fell 9.4% to TND 22.2 million in January 2024. Their volume dropped 19.6% to 4,100 tonnes. Import prices grew 12% on the same month last year. Imported quantities are meant for industrialisation to the tune of 83% (frozen tuna and anchovies), market supply (10%) and fattening (7%). Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
Economic Development Corridor project: international tender to be launched in Q2 2024
Tunis: An international tender will be launched in the second quarter of 2024 to select the promoters who will build the Tunisia Economic Development Corridor, Moez Garma, director of motorway projects at the Directorate General of Bridges and Roads, under the Ministry of Public of Works, said on Tuesday. In a statement to TAP news agency, he added that "work will start in 2025 and continue over a period of 36 months". "After completing the technical, environmental and social studies, as well as the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), the Public Works Department is currently working on finalising the land acquisition file. In fact, the construction of the economic corridor requires the regularisation of the situation of 1970 plots of land, with a total surface area of 526 ha," he pointed out. According to a document published by the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) in January 2024, the aim of the Economic Corridor project is to develop economic exchanges between coastal and inland regions on the one ha nd and with neighbouring countries on the other, to reduce inequalities between regions and to improve the transport system and road safety. The project will thus benefit households, whose mobility will be facilitated by improved road infrastructure; businesses, through the road links provided by the corridor; SMEs, which will have better access to finance; and women, who will have better access to agricultural land and finance. The project includes the capitalisation of the Impact Fund, managed by CDC, to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the regions concerned, thus facilitating the creation of projects in the areas through which the road passes. The Director of Motorway Projects said the Economic Development Corridor involves the construction of a 4-lane section of the National Road 13 (RN13) to improve links between the governorates of Sfax, Kairouan, Sidi Bouzid and Kasserine, over a total length of 181 km. The infrastructure, which currently occupies a 13 m car riageway, will be doubled to 2x2 lanes, with a carriageway width of 24 to 26 m, not including the widths required for embankments, drainage systems, junctions and safety equipment. The right of way reserved for this road and its ancillaries is 50 metres. Work will cover 66.4 km in Sfax governorate, 4.4 km in Kairouan governorate, 77.7 km in Sidi Bouzid governorate and 32.5 km in Kasserine governorate. According to Garma, "the project will develop and upgrade 117.4 km of feeder roads to facilitate access to and from the R13 for people living in neighbouring regions. The aim is to reduce regional economic disparities through these improved road links along the Kasserine-Sidi Bouzid-Sfax axis and by facilitating access to finance for SMEs along the corridor". Initiated by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the RN13 economic corridor is co-financed by the World Bank and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The cost of building the road is estimated at 1,475 million dinars. The World Bank's Board of Execu tive Directors, on March 14, approved a loan of $220 million (equivalent to 681.3 million dinars) to help finance the project. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
Halal Expo Tunisia 2024 October 8-12
Tunis: The 10th edition of the Halal Expo, hosted by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), will take place at the Kram Exhibition Park in Tunis from October 8 to 12, 2024. Tunisia is the first African host of the event. The first meeting of the organising committee convened on Tuesday, with representatives from various ministries and structures in attendance. Chaired by Minister of Trade and Export Development Kalthoum Ben Rejeb, discussions underscored the paramount significance of this event, the Department said in a statement. Minister Ben Rejeb emphasised the key role of this event in showcasing Tunisian products while broadening export horizons for domestic business stakeholders. The expo helps foster Halal industry growth and bolster cooperative ties among Muslim nations, as well as between Muslim countries and the global community, she added. The Halal Expo is primarily geared towards promoting Halal products and services while providing a platform for decision-makers and experts to exchan ge insights and experiences. It aims to foster partnerships and strategic alliances within OIC member states and to streamline the dissemination of information concerning intra-OIC supply and demand dynamics across sectors represented in the expo. It also seeks to create a nexus for professional networking, promote intra-OIC investment, facilitate access to innovative products and expertise in emerging Halal-related technologies, and build business linkages by connecting industrialists and service providers with the wider range of stakeholders in the Halal industry. Halal Expo Tunisia 2024 is organised by the Ministry of Trade and Export Development in partnership with the Tunis International Fair Company and the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT). Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
Zaafrani calls for ensuring greater readiness of air fleet ahead of 2024 summer season
TUNIS: Minister of Equipment and Housing in charge of the Transport Ministry, Sarra Zaafrani, called during a working session held, on Tuesday, in Tunis, to ensure greater readiness of the air fleet ahead of the 2024 summer season. She called for setting up a monitoring unit to ensure regular flights, particularly during the peak season and make swift interventions in case of emergencies, reads a statement of the Transport Ministry. She also stressed the need to provide quality services to Tunisians living abroad as well as tourists visiting Tunisia. The working session was attended by the CEO of the TUNISAIR Group. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
Ras Jedir border crossing temporarily shut down due to skirmishes on Libyan side
Medenine: The Ras Jedir border crossing (Medenine governorate) was shut down overnight on the Tunisian side as a precautionary measure to protect Tunisian and Libyan travellers and preserve their safety, following skirmishes and gunfire on the Libyan side, a security source told TAP. The crossing was restricted to ensuring the return of Tunisians to their country, the same source added. The Ras Jedir border crossing was also closed from the Libyan side due to these skirmishes. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
Belgium reaffirms its commitment to Burkina Faso, through a dialogue approach
Ouagadougou: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabè Abroad Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, received this Tuesday, in Ouagadougou, a delegation from the Kingdom of Belgium who came to reaffirm their commitment to the Burkina Faso , through an approach of listening and dialogue. A delegation from the Kingdom of Belgium led by Jean Jacques Quairiat and Bart De Groof, respectively Ambassador to Burkina Faso and Special Envoy for the Sahel, was received in audience this Tuesday March 19, 2024 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Regional Cooperation and of Burkinabè from Outside Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré. The delegation said it came to reaffirm the commitment of the Kingdom of Belgium to Burkina Faso, through an approach of listening and dialogue. For the special envoy of the Kingdom of Belgium for the Sahel, this commitment makes perfect sense given the humanitarian context facing Burkina Faso. The objective of this visit was also to gather from the head of Burkinabe diplomacy the v ision of his country and other AES countries on the partnership with the Kingdom of Belgium. Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré appreciated this approach, and presented the type of partnership that the Sahel countries wish to have in this particular context. This is a partnership based on the realities of these countries, and which responds to the true aspirations of their citizens. 'Partners must avoid coming to the Sahel with their own priorities, with ready-made answers and even clichés, without having surveyed the populations of this area on their real expectations,' suggested the Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs to the members of the Delegation . He stressed that 'this way of doing things does not make it possible to provide appropriate responses to the problems that the populations and these countries are experiencing.' For him, it is more than ever time for the partners to have a fairer look at the situation in the Sahel, deploring in passing the poor reading made by certain media, and which consists of presenting the Military Transitions as a problem and not as a consequence of inadequate management of the security crisis which has prevailed for eight years now. After listening to the insight provided by Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, the delegation said it left feeling edified. She promises to report on the vision presented by the head of Burkinabe diplomacy to the Belgian authorities, but also at the level of the European Union, of which Belgium currently holds the presidency. Source: Burkina Information Agency
Ioba: At least 44,150 children aged 9 to 59 months will be vaccinated against measles and rubella
An advocacy meeting for the vaccination campaign against measles and rubella was held in Dano on March 15, 2024 under the presidency of the prefect, president of the special municipal delegation of Dano, Denis Zanré. At least 44,150 children will receive the measles and rubella vaccine in this province. This free vaccination campaign aims to strengthen the immunity of children aged 9 to 59 months against measles and rubella in Burkina Faso, according to the Chief District Medical Officer (MCD) of Dano, Dr Salam Mandé. From March 15 to 21, 2024, the Dano Health District is expected to administer the measles and rubella (MR) vaccine to 44,150 children aged 9 to 59 months regardless of vaccination status, the Dano MCD said. The opinion leaders invited to this advocacy meeting must help mobilize populations in favor of this vaccination campaign, argued Dr Mandé. Waste from the campaign must be destroyed no more than 30 days after its implementation. Nationally, at least 95% of target children must be vaccina ted against both diseases. This is why the media, administrative, customary and religious authorities are invited to provide the right information on the campaign. These authorities and opinion leaders must also coordinate the implementation of vaccination and create an environment conducive to community engagement. Children in the vaccination age group must receive their vaccine at usual vaccination sites, health facilities, nurseries and nurseries, markets and places of worship. According to the prefect, president of the special delegation of the commune of Dano, Denis Zanré, measles is an extremely contagious viral infection. Community-wide vaccination is the most effective way to prevent it, Mr. Zanré continued. The PDS invited all participants to be vectors of awareness so that all children aged 9 to 59 months are vaccinated in the Ioba province. This will break the chain of contamination, he added. He thanked the Dano MCD and medical staff as well as technical and financial partners for their con stant dedication and support to improve the health of the Ioba population. Source: Burkina Information Agency
Evaluation of members of the government, decree denouncing acts of corruption and sport on newspaper covers
Ouagadougou: The daily newspapers of this Monday echo the reaction of the Burkinabè on the choice of coach Brama Traoré for the friendly matches, that of political leaders and CSOs with regard to the decree which sets the conditions for denouncing acts of corruption without forgetting the evaluation of ministries. 'Evaluation of members of the government: an overall physical execution rate of 84.31% for six ministers', headlines the public newspaper Sidwaya. The newspaper informs that yesterday Monday, six ministers validated the implementation of their contract of objectives by the Prime Minister, Apolinaire Joachimson Kyélem de Tambéla. According to the state daily, these are the ministries in charge of Communication, in charge of the Digital Transition, that in charge of Cooperation and the ministries in charge of Defense, in charge of Mines and finally that in charge of education. The newspaper reports that these ministries respectively achieved a physical execution rate of 95.2%, 90%, 82.5%, 74% and 75.74%. He adds that according to the Minister in charge of Education, Jean Sosthène Dingara, his department recorded during the year 2023, a slight drop in schooling inherent to the security situation. In another register, L'Observateur Paalga displays on its front page: 'Decree denouncing acts of corruption in the administration: Political and CSO leaders welcome a text 'with laudable intentions'. The dean of private daily newspapers writes that the Head of State issued on March 14, a decree establishing the conditions and modalities for the denunciation of acts of corruption and similar offenses, bad practices in public administrations as well as rewards relating to it. Questioned by the same newspaper on this subject, certain political leaders and civil society actors welcome these new texts while others warn of poor application of its provisions. From another angle, the daily Le Pays displays on its front page the reaction of football players on the first list of the Stallions coach. The private ne wspaper questioned sports journalists, football observers and Etalons supporters this Monday about the choice of Etalons disconnector Brama Traoré to play the two friendly matches on March 22 and 26. Among those interviewed by Le Pays, we note, among others, the sports journalist Luc Pagbelguem who says he appreciates the nod given to local players, while for the supporter Aboubacar Konaté, the coach takes risks. Reading it, for Sidlawendé Drissa Guiatin, doctoral student in sociolinguistics, this list is satisfactory because being in the national team should not be an automatic achievement but a struggle deserved to be selected for each grouping. Source: Burkina Information Agency