Tunisia's Minister of Equipment and Housing, Salah Zouari, has launched several major infrastructure projects in Zarzis, a city in southern Tunisia. The projects aim to improve the city's transportation network and stimulate economic growth. The 21.2 km road bypass, which will serve the city's infrastructure, including its port, is a key component of the development plan. The project is expected to alleviate traffic congestion, particularly for heavy vehicles.
The road bypass project requires an investment of 112 million dinars and is designed as a two-lane, two-way road with safety features, intersections, and public lighting. The project is expected to be completed within 30 months. The minister emphasized the importance of the project in fluidizing traffic in Zarzis and providing sustainable solutions to traffic congestion. The land acquisition process is progressing at a steady pace, enabling the construction company to start work.
In addition to the road bypass project, Minister Zouari inspected the renovation of the regional road n°117, also known as the "Roman Road," between kilometers 21 and 27.3. The renovation work, which is 80% complete, has allowed for the partial opening of a section and a new bridge. The project includes doubling the existing road and bridge, installing public lighting, and implementing safety equipment.
The renovation of the Roman Road is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027, with a total cost of approximately 61 million dinars. The minister noted that the project had experienced delays due to the challenging marine environment. The project aims to improve road safety and traffic flow in the region.
Minister Zouari also announced plans to strengthen the fleet of ferries serving the island of Djerba with the acquisition of two new ferries, each with a capacity of 40 vehicles. The tender has been launched, and the contract is expected to be awarded by the end of 2026. The minister also inaugurated a new unit for manufacturing kitchen equipment in the Zarzis economic activity zone, which will export products to Europe.
The new unit, which represents an investment of two million dinars, is expected to create 110 jobs. Minister Zouari also visited a new confectionery production unit, "Chamia," in Zarzis, which will start production next month with an initial capacity of 10 tons per day. The unit will export products to Libya, Africa, Europe, and Canada and will employ 40 workers initially, with plans to increase to 200 jobs.
Finally, Minister Zouari launched a project to valorize marine products, such as blue crab, in the Bougrara region. The project, which represents an investment of six million dinars, currently employs 60 people, with plans to increase to 300 jobs. The minister concluded the third edition of the Investment Days in Medenine, which was held in Zarzis under the theme "Medenine, a logistics platform and lever for economic development."
Key points
- The Tunisian government has launched several major infrastructure projects in Zarzis to improve the city's transportation network and stimulate economic growth.
- The projects include a 21.2 km road bypass, the renovation of the Roman Road, and the acquisition of new ferries to serve the island of Djerba.
- The projects are expected to create new jobs and stimulate economic growth in the region.
