A report by the Malta news agency revealed that Libya, Tunisia and Algeria have launched a new cooperation strategy aimed at combating smuggling and illicit trade, while strengthening economic development in their common border areas.
The report quotes the Minister of Commerce and Export Development, Samir Abid, who affirms that this initiative is part of a global strategy adopted by Tunisia to deal with the negative effects of the parallel economy on its financial stability, in particular emphasizing the involvement of young people in the stimulation of regional economic growth.
According to the report, the city of Ben Guerdane, close to the Libyan border, is at the heart of this initiative.
The government seeks to make it an investment and development center which generates employment opportunities and improves living conditions, especially for young people in border areas.
The report also highlights Ras Jedir’s strategic border post between Tunisia and Libya, which has long been an informal trade center and a nervery point for smuggling various products such as fuel, electronic devices and foodstuffs.
The report mentions that the intensification of anti-counters by the Libyan authorities at the Libyan border post in recent months has led to a rise in tensions, before diplomacy between the two countries intervened to appease them, leading to exchanges of prisoners and the return of confiscated vehicles.
This common regional strategy between the three countries aims to establish a safer and economically stable environment for border communities, to ensure sustainable growth and to strengthen relations between neighboring countries.
