The Hindu : New Delhi News : Tunisia reaches out to India

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Saturday, Feb 09, 2008
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Tunisia reaches out to India

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

NEW DELHI: Positioned on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, Tunisia with its magnificent historic monuments and a liberated socio-economic existence is now reaching out to India. The country wants to woo Indian travellers and is eager to forge alliances in the fields of medical tourism, bio-technology and information technology.

“We are trying to promote Tunisia’s achievements in economic, political and social spheres. Ours is a country where women and men are given equal privileges,” said Tunisian Ambassador Raouf Chatty over a special lunch at Indian Women’s Press Corps here on Friday.

Tunisian cuisine

To tickle the Indian taste buds, the Tunisian Embassy had laid out an appetising spread. “Olive oil is an integral part of Tunisian cuisine. There is liberal use of tomatoes, olive oil, spice and sea food. The sweets are delectable with sugar, almonds and dates,” Mr. Chatty explained.

Guests at the special lunch were treated to a Tunisian salad, a dish of “Cous Cous”, “Tagine” and traditional Tunisian sweets, tea and wine. “We are trying to collaborate with organisations and universities to organise more events where we can present Tunisian food and showcase the culture,” said Mr. Chatty.

‘Favourite travel desitnation’

Referring to Tunisia as a favoured travel destination, the Ambassador said: “The country registers about seven million tourists each year, and given its modernised way of living, economic growth and the social reforms we are looking at more people visiting the country. We have a lot of tourists from India and many Indians engineers are employed in various hi-tech projects in Tunisia. ”

With its spectacular beaches and archaeological sites including the Second Century Roman temple in Dougga, the Phoenician port of Utica, Sbeitla’s Roman temples and arches, Bulla Regia’s Roman villas and El Jem’s Coliseum, Tunisia is fast emerging as a tourist hot spot.

Talking about the country’s socio-economic aspects, the Ambassador pointed out that Tunisia had made substantive progress vis-À-vis education of women, their empowerment and human rights. “Polygamy has been abolished since 1986. There is a decisive presence of women in public and political life and in important professions. In universities there are more women than men ,” Mr. Chatty said.

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