Tunisia's Diaspora Office Unveils New Projects to Serve Expatriate Community

M. Helmi Tlili, Director General of the Office of Tunisians Abroad (OTE), announced a series of projects undertaken by the Office to serve the interests of the Tunisian diaspora community residing in various countries.

Speaking on the national radio on Monday, he stated that 90% of Tunisians living abroad (TRE) are connected to the Office, which he attributed to the success of the institution's mission. However, he explained that the remaining 10% are not yet connected to the Office, as they have opted for new destinations that are not yet sufficiently covered, such as China, North America, and several African countries. He emphasized that the Office will ensure its presence in all countries where Tunisians reside, thereby ensuring connection with these new destinations.

Connecting with the Diaspora

"The State is committed to protecting the Tunisian diaspora wherever they are and working to preserve their interests in various countries of residence, while involving Tunisians living abroad in the national economic dynamic to contribute to the country's development," he declared.

M. Tlili also announced that the Office's various branches are working tirelessly to ensure proximity, particularly through the implementation of new communication technologies and the updating of the latest tools, relying on the digitization of services offered by the Office.

"The new platform set up by the Office is part of this dynamic of renewal and modernization of services to bring them in line with rapid technological mutations, in accordance with the expectations of TRE, who have insisted on the need to have an informative platform capable of transmitting the latest information and news quickly and instantly, particularly in terms of tax exemptions," he explained.

He added that it is essential to master the language of the digital era, "especially when addressing an elite of Tunisians living abroad who are constantly at the forefront of technological evolution." The intervener emphasized that the Office's credo remains proximity with the Tunisian diaspora, regardless of the country of residence.

1.815 million Tunisians living abroad

In the same context, he announced that the number of Tunisians living abroad currently stands at 1.815 million. He stated that traditional destinations remain at the top of the list of countries welcoming Tunisian expatriates.

"France remains the first country of destination for Tunisians living abroad. Italy comes in second, followed by Germany," he specified.

He added that in fourth position are Arab countries, where over 120,000 Tunisians reside. The rest of the diaspora is distributed among several countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

TRE: Pillar of the National Economy

M. Tlili also indicated that at least 100,000 Tunisians living abroad are confirmed skills, senior executives, and highly qualified profiles.

"The contribution of the diaspora to the Tunisian economy is constant, growing, and sustainable over several years, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic," he emphasized.

He concluded that, considering this stability, the Central Bank considers these transfers as an essential resource for strengthening the country's foreign exchange reserves.

"In 2025, diaspora transfers approached 9 billion dinars, equivalent to around 7% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We are therefore talking about a real and stable economic capacity, through which the diaspora actively and clearly participates in the economic development of Tunisia. An input that we intend to value and exploit effectively to create a dynamic of investment and development," he concluded.