The draft state budget for 2025 presented by the Prime Ministry outlines a series of ambitious measures aimed at stimulating economic growth while maintaining fiscal equilibrium.
Against this backdrop, economics professor and financial analyst Bassem Ennaifer spoke on Tuesday about the broad outlines of the 2025 Finance Bill.
In a statement to Africanmanager, he said that there are no fundamental changes compared to a year ago, as the draft retains the same general direction.
He pointed out that a 2023-2025 program has been put in place and that this draft follows on from what has already been decided. The government has introduced a reform plan and is gradually implementing it,” he said.
A rise in fuel prices
Regarding a rise in fuel prices, Ennaifer pointed out that official documents do not speak of an increase in prices, but rather of controlling subsidy, in particular by reducing the cost of electricity production, with particular emphasis on renewable energies, and by controlling the distribution channels for basic products.
The increase in administrative expenditure is limited to 4% in 2025, and this increase must be earmarked either for investment or for paying government suppliers.
Public investment will be directed towards programmed and priority projects, and otherwise towards renewable energy and agriculture, in particular to solve the problem of water scarcity and by focusing on cereals.
In response to a question, Bassem Ennaifer said that the state will continue to improve the governance of public companies in 2025. The idea of selling these companies has been completely abandoned by the government.
The analyst said it was unlikely that the Bank of Tunisia would cut its key short-term interest rate before the end of 2024, pointing out that inflation rose last month compared to the previous month.
However, he did not rule out a cut in 2025, without being able to comment on the timing or the rate of reduction (…).
Saïed calls for fair tax reform
President Kaïs Saïed recently received Minister of Finance, Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia, for a meeting on the implementation of the State budget and the outlines of next year’s draft budget.
He stressed that Tunisia had met all its financial commitments despite the economic difficulties and global fluctuations.
He also pointed out that, thanks to the rigorous management of national resources, the country had not had to resort to a supplementary finance law, confirming the importance of autonomy and economic sovereignty.
President Saïed also stressed the need to establish a fair tax system and called for the introduction of progressive taxation.
According to him, fair taxation is one of the essential pillars for achieving social justice and ensuring a fair distribution of resources.
This meeting was part of the preparations for the 2025 budget, with a particular focus on tax reform and the sustainability of public finances.
