Tunisia : 9 propositions for boosting economic development
In acting out its democratic revolution, Tunisia turned a new page in euro-Mediterranean history. The upheaval will have considerable repercussions in the
region. It will not only alter the nature of the bonds between Tunisia and the European Union, but it will change the future role played by countries south of the Mediterranean in the regionalization process. The European Union’s attitude towards Tunisia over the coming months is therefore crucial: through its relationship with this country, the EU will be deciding on the direction that partnership with its south Mediterranean neighbours will take from now on.
Supporting and encouraging democratic transition in Tunisia is an urgent necessity. Yet the fate of this revolution will be decided in the short term: its success depends on an upturn in economic development and rapid job creation. Without an emergency recovery plan, the efforts of the Tunisian people will have been in vain.
This report is based on around fifty interviews made between March and September 2011 with different stakeholders in the Tunisian economy.
It puts forward nine propositions aimed at boosting the country’s economic development and encouraging job creation in the short term :
The nine propositions :
- Make it easier for SMEs to access funding with a guarantee fund
- Facilitate Tunisians’ professional mobility by relaxing visa procedures
- Reassure investors about Tunisia’s business climate and socio-economic stability
- Help open up the skies to encourage more diverse tourism
- Develop vocational training institutes
- Simplify the administrative machinery
- Redefine spatial planning policy by giving regions more power and resources
- Secure long-term investments
- Redefine the country’s economic strategy