Thousands of traders in the Tunisian region of Ben Gardane, located about 32 kilometers from the Ras Jedir border crossing, have seen their businesses stagnate, and all shops and stalls in the area have closed. The traders have called on the government for solutions.
This border point is a “lifeline” for all neighboring areas on both the Tunisian and Libyan sides and was bustling with travelers, trucks, and cars.
In 2023, approximately 3.4 million travelers, both Libyan and Tunisian, crossed the border for tourism and for Libyans seeking medical treatment in private clinics and hospitals in Tunisia. Tunisians mainly crossed for trade, according to figures from the “National Office of Land Border Crossings.” Additionally, no fewer than 1.5 million vehicles, including commercial trucks, passed through, according to local media reports.
A vegetable trader noted that the decline in economic activity has affected his customers’ purchasing power. “Traders who used to spend around $10 on vegetables are now spending $3,” he said.
The markets in the Ben Gardane area supply other Tunisian markets with goods and support many families in southern Tunisia, where job opportunities are scarce.
Libya ranks first among Arab and African countries in trade exchange with Tunisia, with the trade volume between the two countries reaching approximately $850 million in 2023, according to official statistics.
The regions and provinces near the border crossing are now facing a “commercial stagnation” affecting about 50,000 traders and their families, who are currently unemployed. Neighboring tourism is also facing a slump and paralysis, as many Libyans previously came for tourism.