China has donated two maritime control and surveillance equipment to Tunisia to improve security at the at La Goulette port in the North of the capital, Tunis.
The equipment, including two scanners worth nearly US$4.9 million, were handed over to Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed at the port.
Chahed thanked the Chinese government for the donation, saying that the new acquisitions would serve to strengthen the border control system.
“The Chinese donation represents the latest technology that will help customs agents across Tunisia. The two scanners will be used at ports and border crossings as well as in roads, in order to protect the national economy against parallel trade and smuggling,” he said.
Tunisia has also purchased control equipment from China, including speedboats. The Customs services also plan to purchase more machines in the coming months.
“The programme of the Tunisian Customs for the year 2017 includes the acquisition of three additional portable scanners worth 13 MD in addition to 7 patrollers from China, worth 6.4 MD. Besides, 12 other radiation scanners to monitor the passage of light cars will be installed,” Director General of Tunisian Customs Adel Ben Hassen said during the handing over ceremony.
The Tunisian authorities now plan to meet Customs recruitment needs in the next 2 years to strengthen its human resources.
