Latest news with #ExpressFM
African Manager
20-05-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia: BCT will not lower key rate again!
Economics professor Ridha Chkondali has said that the Central Bank's concerns about inflation levels returning due to excessive lending to the state, as well as the possible repercussions of US tariffs, may prevent the BCT's Executive Board from cutting the interest rate again. In a statement to Express FM, he explained that 'the issuing institute starts from a monetary approach to inflation, which means a lot of liquidity in the economy. But this liquidity comes from direct loans to the state, so it's as if the Central Bank is causing the problem and calling for its own solution.' He explained how the 50-point reduction in the interest rate had pushed the building and construction sector into positive growth for the first time in years. 'A further reduction in the interest rate would have positive repercussions for Tunisia, as the inflation problem is due to a shortage of production rather than excessive consumption.' He added: 'I believe Tunisia has the opportunity to review all trade agreements, particularly with the European Union and Turkey. The increase in customs duties on Turkish products has been detrimental to the textile sector, which imports mainly cotton, raw materials, and semi-finished products from Turkey. This has resulted in a total loss of competitiveness on the international market, as well as negative and very low growth.' He stressed the need to negotiate with these countries, focusing on areas from which Tunisia can benefit economically, as well as improving the business climate by reducing the plethora of administrative and tax procedures and lowering the interest rate, which would have a positive impact on Tunisian investors.
African Manager
06-05-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia: 'Without emigration, unemployment would reach 19%,' says academic expert
For four decades, Tunisia has struggled with persistently high unemployment rates that have never been structurally reduced like in developed countries, according to economics professor Hamadi Tizaoui. Speaking on Express FM, Tizaoui attributed the chronic joblessness to an economic model that fails to generate employment, stressing the need to reconsider this model. Other reason mentioned is consistently weak GDP growth. However, the unemployment rate has fallen somewhat in recent years due to high levels of migration. 'Without emigration, the unemployment rate would have been around 19%,' he said. The academic pointed to climate change, which has affected many sectors, particularly agriculture, and contributed to the decline in the growth rate. 'Tunisia has never experienced such low growth rates in the post-independence history of the Tunisian economy as in the last 15 years,' he explained. In the same context, he pointed out that the growth rate from 2015 to date has been zero or lower, which is not conducive to job creation, he said, pointing to the parallel economy that has affected growth.
African Manager
25-04-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia's investment rate set to fall to -10% (Professor of economics)
Hela Ben Houcine Khaladi, professor of economics, said that the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) growth forecasts for Tunisia come against a backdrop of global economic fog, due to the tariffs imposed by Trump, as well as local factors. In its 'World Economic Outlook, April 2025' report, published on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 2025 Spring Meetings, the IMF said that growth in Tunisia should be 1.4% in 2025 and also in 2026. Speaking to Express FM on Thursday, Hela Ben Houcine Khaladi explained that these factors include the inflation rate, the growth rate, the state budget deficit, the trade deficit and, above all, the increase in public debt. According to her, the 1.4% growth forecast for the Tunisian economy announced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is far below the projections contained in the state budget, which foresees 3.2% growth in 2025. The professor also pointed out that, according to the IMF's projections for the next five years (until 2030), the investment rate in Tunisia will fall to less than 10% and the savings rate to around 5%. She stressed the need for structural reforms to prevent these projections from becoming reality, in particular by improving the business climate and raising productivity. She underlined the crucial role of political decisions in the implementation of decisions, measures and reforms and called on all to abide by them. In this context, she proposed to review the subsidy policy, restructure state-owned enterprises and increase productivity in the framework of a tax policy which, in her view, must be fair.
African Manager
14-04-2025
- Climate
- African Manager
Tunisia records 18 earth tremors in 2 months
Seismic stations at Tunisia's National Meteorological Institute (INM) detected a 4.3 magnitude earthquake Wednesday evening at 8:56 PM near Meknassi, Sidi Bouzid governorate. The epicenter was located southeast of the delegation, according to an INM bulletin. Dr. Amer Bahba, a Tunisian geography professor and climate expert, told Express FM on Thursday that while the latest tremor is moderate' by international standards (where quakes exceeding 5.0 on the Richter scale are considered strong), Tunisia's threshold for 'strong' quakes starts at 4.8 magnitude. Residents in Meknassi reported feeling Wednesday's tremor. 18 earthquakes have been recorded nationwide over two months (February–April 2025), with 14 concentrated in Meknassi alone. Other affected areas include Gafsa, Sened, Metlaoui, Oum Larayes, Mezzouna and southern Sfax. Dr. Bahba suggested this surge could be aftershocks from February's 4.9 magnitude quake and warned of possible future tremors.
African Manager
11-04-2025
- African Manager
Tunisia: 400,000 British tourists expected in 2024
UK Ambassador to Tunisia, Roddy Drummond, emphasized the growing importance of economic, cultural, and tourism ties between the two nations. Speaking on Express FM, he highlighted Tunisia as a top destination for British tourists, praising the country's efforts in combating terrorism to ensure visitor safety. Ambassador Drummond projected a continued rise in British tourist numbers this year, driven by enhanced air connectivity and new flight routes between the two countries. He noted that 300,000 British tourists visited Tunisia in 2024 – a 68% increase over the previous year – making the UK the third-largest European source market for Tunisian tourism. The diplomat anticipates 400,000 British arrivals by year-end, underscoring the UK's support for Tunisia's tourism promotion campaigns.
