Number of red-brick factories on increase in Tunisia

Expansion in the Tunisian construction sector has led to an increase in the number and production of red-brick factories. Those factories' production increased from 60 million dinars in 1976 to 130 million dinars ($120 million) during 1997.

Tunisian statistics showed that the number of red-brick factories increased to 168, of which 31 had stopped operation as their equipment cannot cope with modern production.

It was also found that only 12 factories use natural gas as a source of energy while 137 factories do not. The statistics highlighted the necessity of benefiting from the Algerian-Italian gas pipeline which passes through Tunisia in order to increase the use of natural gas by the red-brick factories.

Tunisia receives 5% of the gas passing through this pipeline as part of the agreement to allow passage through the country. The chairman of the Tunisian Energy Establishment, Salim Al Kaly, expected that Tunisia's dependence on the new sources of energy will increase to 10% of the total consumption of energy by the year 2000.