Statistics from the Federation of Libyan Industries showed a discrepancy in numbers related to trade between Libya and Tunisia compared to what was reported by the Central Bank of Libya.
Figures from the Federation of Libyan Industries showed that imports from Tunisia amounted to $855 million during the year 2023. In contrast, a report issued by the Central Bank of Libya recorded a lower figure of $606.5 million, reflecting a decrease of 14.5% compared to the previous year.
Statistics also indicated that about 3.4 million travelers moved between the two countries during the past year, most of them Libyans who go to Tunisia for tourism and treatment purposes, while Tunisians visit Libya for trade, as about 1.5 million cars and trucks crossed the border between the two countries.
On the other hand, a study from the Carnegie Middle East Institute indicated the presence of informal trade activity between the two countries. It includes between five and six thousand people a year.
In another World Bank report, it was found that about 495 million liters of fuel were smuggled across the border, representing more than 17% of the total fuel consumption in the two countries.
Intra-trade between Libya and Tunisia witnessed remarkable growth during the year 2022, as the total volume of trade exchange reached 3.027 billion Tunisian dinars (about 976.451 million dollars), and this number represents an increase of 49.8% compared to 2021.
As for the year 2023, until the end of May, the total volume of trade exchange reached 2.7 billion Tunisian dinars (about 850 million dollars), and this number represents an increase of 70% compared to the same period in 2022.
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