Speaking to Tunisie Numérique, economic and financial expert Ridha Chakandali has emphasised the important negative consequences of the continued phosphate crisis on the Tunisian economy. Chakandali points out the direct effect on the value of the Tunisian dinar, financial inflation, and a reduction in economic growth. These effects are particularly pronounced given the current global context of escalating phosphate prices and the specific advantage of Tunisian phosphate, which is suitable for conversion into fertilizer.
The mismanagement of the phosphate sector, associated with social crises, is identified as a crucial factor in worsening economic difficulties in Tunisia. Such mismanagement not only hinders economic growth but also impacts the country’s ability to earn hard currency, further straining the national treasury already confronting challenges in mobilizing external resources.
In addressing the crisis, he suggests a critical role for the Tunisian army in securing the production and transportation of phosphate to chemical complexes, as well as ensuring the safe transport of chemicals to ports. However, he underlined that this should not be done in the Egyptian way, i.e. by militarizing the phosphate sector, but this national wealth represents one of the most significant elements of Tunisian sovereignty. This would stop the Tunisian country from resorting to external borrowing
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