[MENA Focus 2025년 4월호] 주한 튀니지 대사 기고문: 튀니지, 한국 기업의 아프리카, 유럽 및 중동 진출을 위한 새로운 지평을 열다

For many Koreans, Tunisia might conjure up a hazy image of a distant nation. For some, it may call to mind Hannibal or Carthage, the Arab Spring or the Jasmine Revolution, stunning Mediterranean beaches or breathtaking desert landscapes. Not many, however, associate Tunisia with business, entrepreneurship or high-tech ambitions.

Yet, a closer look into Tunisia reveals a vibrant society and an emerging economy driven by innovation and buzzing with exciting opportunities.

With little natural resources, Tunisia -like Korea- has invested heavily, since independence, in its human capital by providing universal quality education and by ensuring gender equality and the empowerment of women to fully participate, on an equal footing with men, in public life. It has been a wise investment that yielded significant social and economic benefits.

Tunisia is now directing all energies to build a new inclusive economic model, to unlock the country’s potential and to regain its position as an emerging economy in the region.

Relentlessly committed to the consolidation of its comparative advantages as a business-friendly site for investors, Tunisia holds the assets to become an attractive hub with a diversified economy, qualified workforce and a strategic location in the heart of the Mediterranean linking Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Charting a new course to move up the global value chains and to transform its economy into high-value-added and knowledge intensive sectors, Tunisia is considering Korea as a model and inspiration.

A thriving innovative industry

Tunisia has been rewarded by favorable rankings on both the global and continental levels. It ranks second worldwide in terms of the number of graduates from scientific and engineering fields, first in North Africa in the Global Innovation Index, first in the MENA region and in Africa and 23rd worldwide in the Attractiveness Index for startups and first in North Africa in high-tech exports.

These rankings demonstrate Tunisia’s continued commitment to developing its innovation ecosystem, its entrepreneurial environment and its skills, to position itself as a major player in various sectors including:

Automotive industry

More than 260 automotive component companies, of which 65% are fully exporting, operate in Tunisia through the entire value chain of automotive spare parts, electrical cables and wires, electronics, engine components, design, plastic and rubber, and textile and leather.  The automotive industry in Tunisia employs about 90,000 direct jobs.

Electrical and Electronics Industry

The Electrical, Electronics and Household Appliances sector comprises over 370 companies, of which 240 are fully exporting.

Aerospace industry

Tunisia is now a key player in the aerospace sector, offering a unique mix of know-how, innovation and strategic positioning. With over 80 companies, including Airbus Atlantic and Safran, opting for Tunisia as a site of production, the Tunisian aeronautical industry is driven by a commitment to innovation and continuous modernization. Quality and industrial upgrade programs ensure that the sector remains at the cutting edge of technology. Certified aeronautical actors ensure high standards of quality and intellectual property rights legislation guarantees the security of the investor’s assets and ensures robust protection of intellectual property rights.

ICT, a sector at the forefront of innovation

Tunisia is emerging as a major player in the field, offering fertile ground for companies aspiring to push the limits of creativity.

With more than 600 innovative companies, of which 320 are fully exporting, the ICT sector represents 11% of GDP and generates an average annual growth rate of 8%.

Opportunities for Korean business in Tunisia

Tunisian Korean relations have reached a moment of maturity and promise. We are now looking forward to a long-term partnership driven by our shared values, based on mutual interests and oriented towards concrete results.

A central component to the partnership we are envisaging shall be the opening up of new perspectives for stronger trade exchanges, joint ventures and investments that could generate fresh opportunities for our respective business communities.

We are heartened by the increasing interest of the Korean business community in Tunisia as a promising investment destination, particularly in the manufacturing of automotive wire harness, with Yura Corporation pointing the way forward for other Korean investors.

We will save no effort to create further opportunities for Korean investment in infrastructure development, in manufacturing and in other sectors.

Recent disruptions caused by conflicts, protectionism or geopolitical uncertainties, shall urge Korean manufacturers to diversify their production locations and geographical footprint and consider Tunisia as a platform for the Africa, Europe and beyond. Thanks to its strategic location, educated and skilled workforce, modern and constantly improving infrastructure and elaborate network of free trade arrangements with the whole African continent, the European Union and the Arab world, Tunisia is well positioned to serve this purpose.

We are now opening a new chapter and new horizons for a mature win-win partnership.

튀니지 관광

유네스코 세계문화유산

두가 / 투가 (1997년 등재)

로마가 누미디아를 병합하기 이전, 비옥한 평야를 내려다보는 고지대에 세워진 도시 투가는 중요한 리비코-푸니키아 국가의 수도 역할을 했습니다. 이 도시는 로마와 비잔틴 제국의 지배 아래에서 번영했으나, 이슬람 시기에는 쇠퇴했습니다. 오늘날에도 볼 수 있는 인상적인 유적들은 제국의 변방에 위치한 소규모 로마 도시의 부와 조직력을 엿볼 수 있게 해줍니다.

시디 부 사이드, 튀니지

지중해를 내려다보는 절벽 위에 자리한 시디 부 사이드는, 아랍과 안달루시아 전통에서 영감을 받은 푸른색과 흰색의 인상적인 건축 양식으로 유명합니다. 구불구불한 자갈길과 만개한 부겐빌레아로 가득한 이 그림 같은 마을은, 오랫동안 예술가들과 지식인들의 안식처였습니다. 전통 튀니지 장인 정신과 현대적 미학이 조화를 이루며 시대를 초월한 매력을 자아내고 있습니다. 마을 곳곳에 있는 유명한 카페 테라스에서는 눈부신 푸른 바다를 감상할 수 있어, 시디 부 사이드는 현지인과 방문객 모두가 사랑하는 튀니지 해안의 보석 같은 장소입니다.