AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM

Agriculture
Tunisian Farmers Get Added Subsidies

The Tunisian government began releasing loans to farmers involved in cereal production. In an effort to make the coming harvest season successful and maximize production, agriculture authorities have started to provide aid to some 3,000 farmers in form of free fertilizers, in addition to supplemental loans.

Meanwhile, the government decided to raise the incentive bonus for farmers willing to plant potatoes in non-traditional areas to TD 300 per ton of seeds acquired within this program. The goal of this subsidy is to guarantee a steady supply of basic foods to the Tunisian market and to build security reserves in case of future disruptions.
-------------------------

Trade/Agriculture
Morocco-US Agree on Agriculture

A spokesman of the Moroccan government announced that the negotiators of the US-Morocco free-trade agreement have reached a compromise on the issue of agriculture. The compromise concerns the "establishment of transition periods" in dealing with cereal, red meat and poultry. These transition periods will most likely concern the phasing out of tariffs during specific periods stretching up to the year 2010 or 2015. Moroccan negotiators specialized in agriculture are currently in Washington for further talks.
-------------------------

Tourism
Entry of Foreign Tourists in Tunisia Flat, Shortened Vacation Time, but Higher Revenues

The number of tourists, who vacationed Tunisia in 2003, excluding the month of December, grew by a mere 0.3% compared to 2002. Preliminary data from tourism authorities also shows that the number of nights spent by the foreign tourists dropped by 2% versus 2002.

In spite of this sluggish performance, revenues from tourism managed to grow by 5.2%.

Tunisia has been able to limit the loss of travelers by using clever marketing campaigns and by substantially lowering the cost of travel and lodging. Indeed, the price of one-week stay, including round-trip flight from Paris and hotel, was offered by a travel agency in France at TD 75. This amount was for the entire week in a three-star hotel.
-------------------------

New Law Aimed at Regulating Fisheries in Morocco

The Moroccan parliament adopted in late December a draft law aimed at regulating the fisheries sector. The new law now bans the transport and marketing of fish products originating from fishing regions that are undergoing a biological rest. The exception is for frozen fish that was caught before the start of the biological rest and which was registered at the local state fisheries offices known as Delegation de la Peche Maritime, as well as farm raised fish. Individuals caught transporting and selling fish will be fined between DH5,000 and DH50,000.

These changes are amendments to article 33 of the 1973 law, which calls for jail sentences of up to three months.
-------------------------

Travel and Tourism
Jet Air and TUI in Talks with Morocco

The ministry of tourism is about to finalize its negotiations with two European tour operators and travel agents. The operators are Belgium Jet Air and Germany's TUI. Final agreements will enable further promotion of the Morocco destination in key European markets.
-------------------------

Livestock/Trade
Ghardaia Provincial Authorities Ban Import of Sheep from Sub-Sahara Africa

The provincial government of Ghardaia banned the import of the Sidaoun-type of sheep that come from Algeria's southern boarders. The provincial authorities' decision was motivated by what they call "suspicious trade practices, which make the control of animal health difficult to achieve." The regional government is also seeking to establish incentives for local farmers to boost their own production of OVIN meat.

- Energy
- Industries and Markets
- The Economy and Trade
- Financial Sector
- Agriculture and Tourism
- Politics, Diplomacy, and Social and Human Affairs
- Special Topic