Overview

The GOT is enhancing its safety measures and upgrading the capabilities of its security forces, a fact reflected in the expanded budgets of the Ministries of National Defense and Interior.  For 2023, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior respectively allocated budgets of $137 million and $19 million to the development of their capabilities and the acquisition of new military and security equipment.  International donors are also active in Tunisia’s security sector, including through programs for border security, port security, and police and prison reform.

The U.S. government has support programs in place aimed at security-related training and equipment.  U.S. military assistance is building Tunisian forces’ capacity to deter regional threats, strengthen defensive capabilities, and counter terrorism.

In 2021, the U.S. share of Tunisia’s imports under the Harmonized System (HS) code 93 “Arms and Ammunition” was 2% after it reached 36% in 2020.  In 2021, Turkey had the highest market share (33%), followed by Spain (20%), and Italy (16%).  Other than government security departments, the main end-users of security equipment are banks, hotels, shopping centers, and hospitals.

U.S. exporters of safety and security equipment are advised to use a local agent/distributor to obtain better access to information about upcoming government procurements.  Well-established agents are efficient in arranging meetings with key officials, introducing new equipment and systems, providing market intelligence, and finalizing transactions.

Opportunities

Opportunities exist for U.S. exporters of safety and security equipment.  Equipment in demand includes access control systems, firefighting equipment, vehicles, closed-circuit television (CCTV), electronic surveillance equipment, uniforms, protective apparel, accessories, communication equipment, armored vehicles, metal detectors, X-ray machines, and scanning equipment.