“Public finances will remain limited for a few years until the financial policy guidelines are revised to make the most of the comparative and competitive advantages of the regions,” Minister of the Economy and Planning, Samir Saied said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the 3rd regional forum to boost investment in the central-western governorates, held in Sbeitla (Kasserine governorate), Saied pointed out that the central-western region (Kasserine, Sidi Bouzid and Kairouan governorates) has several comparative advantages.
He cited ecological, health and cultural tourism as examples, in addition to the comparative advantages of the dairy system, vegetable and grain production, agro-food industries and construction materials.
He added that the aim of the regional forums was to promote investment and identify the advantages of each region.
“Each region has an advantage, even in terms of legislation and procedures. We will sometimes have to adapt to the specific characteristics of these regions, which have not benefited from development and public investment,” he stressed.
The Minister pointed out that the private sector, the engine of growth, has not invested in the inland regions. He stressed the need to discuss with representatives of the private sector, officials and economic operators “to understand the causes of this dissatisfaction”.
We are determined to create attractive value chains for investors in the interior regions, simplify administrative and bureaucratic procedures, review the investment law and intensify support for investors in the early years of their projects in order to improve the investment climate in the interior regions,” Saied pointed out.
“We are committed to working to transform any region with comparative advantages in an activity or area into a national capital in that specific sector.” he added.
The Minister also stressed the need to develop value chains and rely on knowledge, technology and innovation in all sectors, including traditional sectors. He said that the measures that can be taken over a decade have been identified in order to shift towards a knowledge economy.
The Ministry of Economy and Planning, in cooperation with the various stakeholders (public institutions, national organisations and civil society), launched on August 15 series of regional meetings to boost investment in regions, including workshops on drawing on the comparative advantages of each region within the framework of economic systems and on ways to promote investment and industrial and logistical infrastructure, in addition to regional development programmes in the governorates.
The workshops examine mechanisms and programmes for the economic empowerment of disadvantaged groups, as well as financing, incentives and support. The aim is to deepen dialogue and consultation between the various stakeholders on ways to strengthen private investment in the different regions and to use the means and resources available to boost economic activity.
These regional meetings, which will end in December 2023, will culminate in the organisation of an international conference on investment.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse