Angola, a former Portuguese colony and member state of both the African Union and Latin Union, has rich, dynamic culture and a business community that is just as diverse.
Ask about the family: Angolans practice ancestor worship, so it is especially important here, when meeting someone, to inquire about their family before diving into business matters. Building relationships is important. Don’t be surprised if at your first meeting with someone, business is not even discussed. They just want to get to know you.
Eye contact with women: In some rural parts of Angola, women do not make eye contact. However, in more urban areas and among younger generations, Angolan women might look you in the eye. If you are a woman visiting the country, you should try to avoid eye contact during the initial greeting process.
More on eye contact: When speaking to someone who holds a similar position to yours or is your “equal,” making eye contact is a sign of sincerity. Meanwhile, when speaking to someone who is older than you or has more seniority, refraining from eye contact shows respect.
Greetings: Bow to anyone who is obviously older than you are, or who has seniority over you. With anyone else, a handshake is customary.
Gift giving: If you are invited to a business associate’s home in an urban area, fruit, flowers or chocolate are acceptable gifts. It’s also normal to bring small gifts for the children of your associates.
Dress: Even if your business meeting is taking place at a restaurant, café or somebody’s home, dress as you would in an office. Dressing professionally is considered a sign of respect.
When addressing government officials: If there are any government officials present at your meeting, they may be addressed as “Excellency” (male) or “Excelencia” (female), without including their names.
Business cards: You’ll find many Angolans do not carry business cards, however they expect visitors doing business there to present them with business cards.
‘Yes’ doesn’t always mean yes: As in other African cultures, agreeing with someone is a sign of respect. When Angolans aim to please they may avoid saying anything that would come off as negative, even if they do not agree with the terms you are presenting. For this reason, be sure to go over specifics rather than accept vague statements, and write up detailed contracts.
Never interrupt: Interrupting is considered rude, especially interrupting elders. If you want to let someone know you approve of or disagree with what they’re saying, you may make hand or arm gestures while they’re speaking.
Source
Business Etiquette 101: 10 Tips For Business travelers in Angola
Angola, a former Portuguese colony and member state of both the African Union and Latin Union, has rich, dynamic culture and a business community that is just as diverse.
Ask about the family: Angolans practice ancestor worship, so it is especially important here, when meeting someone, to inquire about their family before diving into business matters. Building relationships is important. Don’t be surprised if at your first meeting with someone, business is not even discussed. They just want to get to know you.
Eye contact with women: In some rural parts of Angola, women do not make eye contact. However, in more urban areas and among younger generations, Angolan women might look you in the eye. If you are a woman visiting the country, you should try to avoid eye contact during the initial greeting process.
More on eye contact: When speaking to someone who holds a similar position to yours or is your “equal,” making eye contact is a sign of sincerity. Meanwhile, when speaking to someone who is older than you or has more seniority, refraining from eye contact shows respect.
Greetings: Bow to anyone who is obviously older than you are, or who has seniority over you. With anyone else, a handshake is customary.
Gift giving: If you are invited to a business associate’s home in an urban area, fruit, flowers or chocolate are acceptable gifts. It’s also normal to bring small gifts for the children of your associates.
Dress: Even if your business meeting is taking place at a restaurant, café or somebody’s home, dress as you would in an office. Dressing professionally is considered a sign of respect.
When addressing government officials: If there are any government officials present at your meeting, they may be addressed as “Excellency” (male) or “Excelencia” (female), without including their names.
Business cards: You’ll find many Angolans do not carry business cards, however they expect visitors doing business there to present them with business cards.
‘Yes’ doesn’t always mean yes: As in other African cultures, agreeing with someone is a sign of respect. When Angolans aim to please they may avoid saying anything that would come off as negative, even if they do not agree with the terms you are presenting. For this reason, be sure to go over specifics rather than accept vague statements, and write up detailed contracts.
Never interrupt: Interrupting is considered rude, especially interrupting elders. If you want to let someone know you approve of or disagree with what they’re saying, you may make hand or arm gestures while they’re speaking.
Source
Living as an expat in Tunisia – the basics
Location: Africa
Capital City: Tunis
Currency: Tunisian Dinar
Language: Arabic
Calling Code: +216
Internet TLD: .tn
Electricity: 230V 50Hz
Residents Visa and Work Permit information
Expats looking to move to Tunisa should obtain Carte de Sejour or Residence Permit. Your Tunisian Carte de Sejour is an important document that you need to obtain if you are in Tunisia for an uninterrupted stay of more than four months. The Carte de Sejour is your basic identification card, like a driving license in the US. It takes the place of your passport. While in Tunisia, you should leave your passport in a safe place to avoid losing it. In its place, carry your Carte de Sejour and a photocopy of the first page of your passport.
Apply for the Carte de Sejour within three months after your arrival. If you are a US citizen, you can legally come to Tunisia without a visa and stay for up to four months. However, if you stay in Tunisia for longer than four months without a Carte de Sejour you become an illegal alien. If you go to the airport to take a flight out of Tunisia, they will stop you at the passport control and deny you permission to leave until you have paid a fine for overstaying. This can be expensive and unpleasant.
Required documents:
Copies of pages from your passport
Rental contract
Attestation of employment from CEMAT
Copy of the CEMAT/Ministry of Education Cooperation Agreement
Passport
3 photos
Ten Dinar fiscal stamp
Accommodation
Tunisa is divided into neighbourhoods with its own benefits and downsides. We list some of the popular areas for expats below.
Carthage
Carthage is made up of huge villas and a number of apartments. There are plenty of trees and most expats who live here are working for embassies. Public transport is available and taxis cost around 8 Dinar going to the city centre.
Le Berges du Lac
Le Berges du Lac is the latest development in Tunis and is divided into two sections, Lac 1 and Lac 2. There are many restaurants, cafes and stores in the area and most buildings are less than a decade old. Public transport is limited so your alternative is taxis and private transport.
Lafayette and Downtown
Lafayette is located in the heart of the city and is made up mainly of colonial-era apartment buildings. The area offers a great experience for those looking to live in the urban lifestyle. There are many students and young professional in the area where cafes and bars are available. Public transport is available anywhere.
International Schools
British International School of Tunis
The British International School of Tunis (sometimes shortened to BIST) is a primary school providing an engaging, inspirational and rounded education for children aged 3 to 10, following the National Curriculum for England and Wales. Our pupils are encouraged to develop the academic skills and personal resources that will enable them to live fulfilling lives wherever they may find themselves, while engaging with the cultural diversity of our unique location for a truly international perspective. We welcome pupils from the entire region, including local families and those from further afield. Our learning environment is supportive and challenging, meeting the highest standards as recognised by the Council of British International Schools and the British Government’s inspection of overseas schools.
Curriculum: British
Address: 49 rue du Parc, 2036 La Soukra
Tel: (216) 71 865 682
Fax: (216) 71 865 694
Email: info@bistunis.com
Website: www.bistunis.com
American Cooperative School of Tunis
ACST follows the American educational system PreK to 10 and the IB Diploma Program in grades 11 and 12. Many teachers are recruited from the United States. The curriculum is based on the AERO (American Education Reaching Out) standards in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, World Languages, Visual Arts, and Technology. ESL, Library, Academic Support, and Physical Education use national or state standards.
Curriculum: US
Address: BP 150 Cite Taeib M’hiri, Laouina 2045
Tel: (216) 71 760 905
Fax: (216) 71 761 412
Website: www.acst.net
Relocation Africa wins the Choice contribution award from Graebel
Immigration – Focus on Tunisia
The Republic of Tunisia is a country located in North Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and Libya to the southeast. It is the northernmost country on the African continent, and the smallest of the nations situated along the Atlas mountain range. Around forty percent of the country is composed of the Sahara desert, with much of the remainder consisting of particularly fertile soil and a 1300 km coastline.
The population of Tunisia consists of 97% Berbers, Arab or a mixture of two. The Berbers are the indigenous population of North‐Africa. The Berbers primarily speak Berber languages, often called Shelha.
Tunisian immigration law is relatively restrictive in its application. Requirements, processing times, employment eligibility, and benefits for accompanying family members vary by visa classification.
Tunisia typically issues single-entry business visas for business visits of up to 90 days consecutively or 183 days cumulatively.
Foreign nationals seeking to engage in business-related activities for a period of more than 90 days generally must obtain a work permit. Visa nationals who have obtained a residence card may use it to enter Tunisia and need not obtain an entry visa. Work permits can be extended if the foreign national can demonstrate a need.
Note that some foreign nationals (investors, directors etc.) are exempted from obtaining a work permit, but would still be subject to a formal process by applying for non-submission of a work permit.