Latest news with #emploi
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia: Launch of business competitveness support and citizens economic empowerment programme announced
Tunis - Minister of Employment and Vocational Training Riadh Chaoued announced on Wednesday in Tunis the launch of a programme to support business competitiveness and the economic empowerment of citizens through job creation. While presiding over the signing of an agreement with the Tunisian Solidarity Bank, the Minister explained that the programme is financed by a €90 million loan agreed between Tunisia and the African Development Bank (AfDB) in September 2024. It aims to contribute to job creation and support economic and social integration by improving the employability of job seekers and developing their skills through complementary training and entrepreneurship support. It will also support the establishment of a self-employment system and develop and support institutional capacities to improve governance of employment, training and support programmes. He explained that the programme consists of several elements, most notably an agreement with the Tunisian Solidarity Bank providing approximately €50 million in funding to establish around 13,000 enterprises between 2025 and 2027. He added: 'The programme is ambitious and has important social and economic dimensions. It aims to support enterprises and empower citizens economically by creating decent jobs', emphasising that the Ministry is adopting a new results-based approach to its work. The Minister of Employment explained that funding is now conditional on achieving specific indicators relating to complementary training, self-employment and the establishment of enterprises. He warned that if these targets are not met, the funds will not be transferred. He pointed out that this new approach stems from past lessons, when Tunisia suffered from loans that were misused or simply consumed, and explained that the current vision is based on only resorting to loans if they are directed towards achieving concrete development goals. The Minister of Employment said the programme to support the competitiveness of enterprises and the economic empowerment of citizens is not only for new enterprises, but also for existing enterprises that are experiencing difficulties and require financing or equipment to continue their activities and preserve jobs. He added that the conditions for accessing financing are favourable, as project initiators are not required to provide self-financing and will not be charged interest on loans for up to 19 years. He said he believed that these and other incentives will encourage young people and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises, whether new or existing, to start afresh or expand their activities. The minister announced that the programme will launch on June 16 and those wishing to apply for funding can submit their applications to the Tunisian Solidarity Bank and its regional branches. He added that the ministry is working to ensure the first batch of enterprises will receive funding in the same week. 'The types of projects will be open to all fields, and it is important that they be economically viable and capable of creating or preserving jobs,' Chouaed underscored, noting that new projects or business expansions may include agriculture, industry, services, cultural industries, and more. The minister emphasised that the new direction of the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training reflects a shift in its role. It is no longer solely concerned with traditional training and employment; it has also become a direct supporter of the economic fabric by financing small and medium-sized enterprises and creating job opportunities. He explained that this change is due to the commitment to the July 25, 2022 constitution, which considers work to be a constitutional right. In conclusion, he said, 'We work within the framework of the comprehensive state policy outlined by the President of the Republic, and we strive to play an active role in building a true social state where employment, production, and support for free enterprise are at the heart of national priorities.' Director General of the Tunisian Solidarity Bank, Khelifa Sboui, explained that the programme aims to support vulnerable groups, particularly young people, graduates and women. Priority will be given to social and environmentally friendly projects. He revealed that the programme provides financing of up to 200,000 dinars and aims to create 13,000 projects. Financing is available for equipment and working capital, and the programme offers flexible conditions and special incentives for women and rural residents. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia: Prime Ministry announces key aspects of State's economic and social programme
Tunis – The Prime Ministry, on Saturday afternoon, announced the main pillars of the state's economic and social programme following a Cabinet meeting held on the same day at the Government Palace in Kasbah, chaired by Prime Minister, Sara Zaafrani Zenzri. The state's economic and social programme covers several key sectors, including health, finance, education, science, industry, energy, youth, sports, culture, administration, and various public services, according to a Prime Ministry statement. Promoting Employment and Improving Living Standards The programme primarily focuses on employment, improving living standards, strengthening the social protection system, and enhancing human capital, particularly by developing social policies to achieve social justice. Several measures will be adopted to preserve the purchasing power of low- and middle-income groups, expand social support for vulnerable populations, and provide guidance and assistance for project startups, the statement noted. Additionally, the programme aims to accelerate measures related to income improvement, boost economic and social integration mechanisms, create job opportunities, ensure decent working conditions, and eliminate precarious employment. It also seeks to facilitate access to housing, strengthen social cohesion, enhance public services, and develop social security and coverage systems. Implementing Legislative Reforms The state's economic and social programme also includes legislative reforms as a fundamental lever to translate economic and social approaches into tangible reality, adapting the legal framework to the current phase's requirements and challenges, according to the same source. Reforming the education system The programme also focuses on reforming and developing the education, higher education, and vocational training systems to align with labor market demands. It aims to improve the healthcare system, promote cultural, youth, and sports activities to enhance human capital, and boost investment within a comprehensive framework that encourages entrepreneurship and fosters its culture and improves the business climate. Driving investment in a comprehensive framework This approach is also based on promoting investment through a holistic strategy that includes liberating private initiative, spreading a culture of entrepreneurship, improving the business environment, optimising real estate assets, advancing public projects, and developing transport infrastructure. This involves modernising ports and airports, strengthening rail networks, expanding road networks, enhancing trade, territorial planning, ensuring food security, developing industry and tourism, digitising public services, protecting the economic fabric, regulating imports, supporting exports, streamlining customs procedures, and enforcing trade defence mechanisms. The state programme also includes accelerating the energy transition and increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity production to address growing climate and energy challenges, protecting the coastline, and promoting a circular economy. Boosting regional development dynamics The programme adopts a regional development approach based on constitutional principles to drive growth in regions, which will contribute to shaping their priorities through a new participatory methodology. This process starts with proposing programmes and projects at the local council level, then the regional council, followed by the district council, and finally at the national level. Based on this, the 2026-2030 Development Plan will be prepared, alongside supporting the system of communitarian enterprises, the statement added. Advancing the digital transformation of administration The programme also includes the digital transformation of the administration, accelerating interconnections that will serve as a pivotal lever for the state's economic and social programme. This transformation will modernise administration, ensure transparency, facilitate transactions, open new horizons for the digital economy, stimulate youth initiatives, develop remote administrative services, advance the digital economy, protect the national cyberspace, and strengthen digital trust. The Prime Ministry emphasised that an advanced methodology will be adopted to monitor the implementation of all measures and projects under the economic and social programme. This will be based on performance indicators linked to specific timelines, using modern technological monitoring tools to proactively address challenges, ensuring the timely realisation of these measures and projects, according to the statement. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
