A 2026 Finance Bill Focused on Social Justice
On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, President Kaïs Saïed welcomed Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri and Minister of Finance Michket Slama Khaldi at the Carthage Palace to examine the key directions of the 2026 draft finance bill.
During the meeting, the Head of State stressed the urgent need to break definitively with outdated economic models. He underlined the priority of focusing on the social dimension, particularly through a fair fiscal policy that can restore justice and strengthen national cohesion.
“When justice prevails and the state fully resumes its social role, tensions subside and the ground becomes fertile for sustainable, beneficial growth for all,” he declared.
Turning Toward Africa, Asia, and South America to Revive Exports
Later, President Kaïs Saïed met with the Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid. He reiterated the necessity to intensify efforts to access new markets, especially in Africa, Asia, and several South American countries that have expressed interest in strengthening trade relations with Tunisia.
This strategic shift in Tunisian exports is seen as a key driver for diversifying economic opportunities and reducing dependency on traditional markets.
Limiting Non-Essential Imports to Rebalance the Trade Deficit
President Saïed also underscored the heavy burden that imports place on the country’s foreign currency reserves. He criticised the importation of non-essential products or those easily replaceable with local alternatives, saying that this skews the debate around the trade imbalance with certain economic partners.
“It is time to put an end to these economic paradoxes: we speak of deficits, yet we import things we can produce—or that we do not need at all,” he stated.
Controlling Distribution Chains and Combating Speculation
The President further highlighted the urgent need to restructure distribution channels, especially for agricultural products. He condemned a system in which both producers and consumers suffer, while unscrupulous intermediaries profit through speculation.
In response, he called for increased economic inspection operations, along with public awareness campaigns throughout the country and in the media.
Toward a New Economic Era Based on Collective Responsibility
Through these meetings, President Kaïs Saïed reaffirmed his intention to reposition government action on new foundations: fiscal justice, inclusive development, economic sovereignty, and combating abuses in value chains.
What's happening in Tunisia?
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for updates.
