Bulgaria and Tunisia have signed a number of agreements to drive cooperation in tourism, bolster ties between small and medium-sized enterprises and waive visas for travelers with diplomatic and other special passports.

Bulgarian economy minister Traycho Traykov said Bulgaria could become Tunisia’s “fifth gate” for EU exports.

“Tunisian investments in Bulgaria are currently the equivalent of an apartment in central Sofia,” according to the minister. Official statistics place Tunisia at number 34 in Bulgaria’s exports and 72 in imports for 2009.

Trade between the two countries slumped by 64% year-on-year to USD 83.9 million last year.