Tunisia-Bassam Naifer: “60% of Tunisian families do not have transactions with financial banking sector”

Economic analyst Bassem Naifer shed light on the exclusion draft law, presumed to be presented to the parliament. According to the latest figures from the central bank, Naifer stated that 60% of Tunisian families do not have transactions with the financial banking sector. This poses a challenge to digitalizing the economy and services, as electronic transactions require wider participation from Tunisians.

Naifer stressed the necessity to address the parallel economy, which operates outside the banking service and relies on cash transactions. He clarified that the law aims to streamline the use of cash, making financial services more accessible to citizens at reasonable prices. Further, it aims to encourage Tunisians who have been hesitant to engage with the financial sector to adopt organized transactions, possibly using mobile phones to avoid queues. This shift needs state support, Tunisian involvement, and reasonable pricing, especially considering the high costs associated with banking services.