Tunisian aerospace after the Arab Spring

In Tunisia last week to visit some of the country's aerospace industry in the company of Wassim from Tunisian trade association GITAS. I'll be writing about the sector as part of a special feature on the Middle East and North Africa region in our 8 November issue.

Tunisia's revolution at the turn of the year, which deposed dictator President Ben Ali, was a relatively short and less bloody affair than some of the other uprisings it helped spark in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Syria (although almost 300 people died). A provisional government was installed almost immediately ahead of elections this October.

This meant, among other things, that Tunisia's aerospace industry - well established before the revolution - continued almost as before, as did its economy, heavily dependent on tourism and trade with Europe (agriculture, including olive oil and dates, and light industry, mainly automotive and chemicals are the main industries).

The former French colony is still culturally very French (the language is universally spoken alongside Arabic) and - even under Ben Ali - was socially fairly liberal, although Islam is the predominant religion. The hope is now that much of the corruption and red-tape that stifled economic growth will be lifted under the new government and the country made even more welcoming to investors.

Tunisia's main advantage, other than a French- (and widely English-) speaking, highly-educated workforce, is its proximity to Europe and lack of customs and currency barriers. Rome is one hour's flight time away and London and Paris are less than 3h. Goods can leave Tunis by sea and be in France, Spain or Italy within 24h. 

Most of the European companies which have made their home there are - not surprisingly - French, among them Latecoere, Zodiac and the latest arrival, Aerolia. But Naples-based aerostructures specialist Dema also has a factory and GITAS and the government are keen to attract investors from the UK, Germany and Benelux countries too. 

Read my full article in 8 November.