With the lifting of the last remaining customs barriers, Tunisia’s free trade agreement with the European Union forcefully entered into effect on January 1, 2008, opening a range of prospects to the Tunisian economy. Public opinion, however, is proving mixed regarding its effects. According to the terms of the agreement, Tunisia stands to benefit from importing products that are produced for less in Europe. In turn, Tunisia can concentrate its own production domains where it is more competitive, like olive oil. With this new partnership, the Tunisian government could also consider pressing for free circulation of workers between Tunisia and the EU. The Tunisian Minister of Industry, Afif Chelbi, highlighted that with this FTA, “Tunisia becomes the first country of the southern shore of the Mediterranean to have finalized the various stages of setting up a free trade zone with the European Union.” In a press conference, Chelbi lauded the
