2023-12-09 09:46:46
photo credit: © Riadh SAHLI
” data-medium-file=” data-large-file=”
photo credit: © Riadh SAHLI
The 37th edition promises to be a dynamic forum for reflection, conducive to the formulation of concrete recommendations and strategic measures to address informality and its ramifications on economic inequalities.
The president of the Arab Institute of Business Leaders (IACE), Taieb Bayahi, yesterday officially inaugurated the 37e edition of the Company Days in Sousse. The central theme of this edition, “Business and Informality: Inequalities and Outstanding Solutions”, was chosen for its crucial importance in the current economic context. Held under the patronage of the Presidency of the Republic, this major event marked the start of stimulating discussions and in-depth debates on the complex issue of informality in the business world. The presence of the Minister of Trade and Export Development, Kalthoum Ben Rejeb, testifies to the importance that key players attach to this issue.
This 37e edition of the Business Days, which brings together opinion leaders, experts and professionals from the business world to share their perspectives, experiences and innovative solutions, offers in this regard a privileged platform to address persistent inequalities and solutions outstanding issues related to informality.
A third of GDP and a complex struggle
Bayahi clearly explained the choice of the theme, “Business and Informality: Inequalities and Outstanding Solutions”, justified by the crucial importance it has had for several decades. He stressed that, unlike previous editions where the subject was often addressed peripherally, this year it occupies the center of all discussions.
The IACE president highlighted the substantial impact of informality on the economy, saying that it represents more than a third of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), thus putting it on par with the supposed two-thirds. remaining in the organized private and public sectors. The current political, economic and social situation, exacerbated by unprecedented geopolitical upheavals on a global scale, was described by Bayahi as a backdrop which accentuates the relevance of this issue.
Above all, Taieb Bayahi highlighted that major themes of informality and inequality have transcended national borders, significantly impacting the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world. He inserted these challenges into the complex context that both the private sector and the State must face, due to the major political and geopolitical changes that have occurred over the last three years.
Bayahi also discussed significant events such as the Covid-19 global health crisis, the war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the resurgence of conflict in the Middle East in occupied Palestine. These crises, he stressed, have profound consequences on the international economic order and have called into question some of society’s most deeply held beliefs.
In addition, he recalled the alerts launched during the previous edition of the Business Days, highlighting the crucial importance of taking into account the serious threats weighing on economic security and national sovereignty. These threats are exacerbated by environmental issues such as climate change and the scarcity of natural resources.
“It is for all these reasons that we must be uncompromising and implacable in our fight once morest informality, a source of corruption. This requires strengthening our rule of law, promoting transparency at all levels of government and businesses, simplifying procedures and regulations, reducing authorizations, which are the main sources of favoritism and corruption… To avoid cite only these, we are fully aware today of the incapacity of current systems of governance to understand this phenomenon with what we know of its propagation at all levels of our society and in various forms”, -he explained.
Bayahi then dove into the heart of the matter, addressing in depth the crucial challenge of informality. He exposed the fact that this reality not only represents a third of the GDP, but it also employs almost half of the population, thus constituting the main source of income for many Tunisians. Informality, according to him, is an economy with low productivity and income and is a reflection of various forms of economic, social and regional inequalities.
He highlighted the multiple facets of informality, including its association with tax evasion, unfair competition, lack of respect for workers’ rights, as well as corruption. This complex mix of challenges constitutes a major concern for Tunisia and all countries concerned, according to Bayahi.
Despite the clear statement of objectives, Bayahi recognized the complex challenges of tackling informality. He stressed that this fight requires strong political will, total popular support, fair application of the rule of law and economic, social and regulatory reforms. He stressed the need to put in place measures to protect the most vulnerable, stressing that this is not only crucial for the success of the project, but also for the application of fundamental human values.
Simplification administrative and digitalization
Then speaking, the Minister of Trade and Export Development, Kalthoum Ben Rejeb, delivered a speech full of concerns and commitments to the economic development of Tunisia. From a perspective oriented towards economic fields, she highlighted their essential contribution to the formulation of economic and social policies. It highlighted the need to inform political orientations by providing concrete options for undertaking the essential reforms for sustainable and integrated development of the country.
In this same context, Ben Rejeb sent a reassuring message to all law-abiding businessmen and economic operators, representing the vast majority. She affirmed the continued commitment of the Tunisian State to support them in all possible ways, thus creating a positive business environment. The objective is to stimulate their contribution to wealth creation and national development. Regarding the government’s progress in implementing measures aimed at creating conditions conducive to private investment and building confidence among entrepreneurs, both national and foreign, the minister assured that the stability of the country , combined with appropriate laws, incentives and programs, provides favorable ground for private initiative. “At this level, it is essential to highlight the efforts of our department to protect the national economic fabric. This includes the establishment of trade defense mechanisms, as well as the review and development of bilateral trade agreements. These actions are undertaken with the aim of preventing trade imbalances and safeguarding local industry, thus ensuring the sustainability of Tunisian companies and strengthening their competitiveness,” she explained, while highlighting the concern shared by public actors. and private citizens of the country regarding this dilemma with repercussions on financial and economic balances…
On another level, Kalthoum Ben Rejeb noted the evolution of discussions around the informal nature of economic activities, moving from traditional concepts such as parallel trade and anarchic occupation to more contemporary terms such as the unregulated economy. She stressed the need to unify efforts to analyze in depth the causes of these phenomena and find ways to counter or channel them legally.
At the heart of these discussions, the minister highlighted the importance of simplifying administrative procedures, recognizing bureaucracy and administrative complications as major reasons that push individuals to engage in the informal sector. “The government, aware of this problem, is actively working to reduce the administrative burden imposed on businesses and individuals, with measures such as the digitalization of administrative procedures,” she said.
Call for unity for a prosperous future
The minister also highlighted the importance of markets and distribution channels in the fight once morest unregulated trade. She discussed plans to develop structured markets and models to improve product quality, support farmers and stimulate economic activity. In the field of foreign trade, Ben Rejeb highlighted the ongoing digitalization of all export and import procedures. She highlighted the importance of this massive initiative to speed up transactions, reduce costs and minimize bureaucracy. An online platform has been created to provide information on procedures and conditions related to export and import operations.
“It is important and essential to carry out long-term reforms, particularly in the field of education, to raise the intellectual level of the population and reduce the risk of involvement in the informal sector,” she indicated. , while calling for the collaboration of all sectors of society to overcome difficulties and work together to establish a prosperous future for Tunisia.
1702153110
#37th #edition #company #days #Deep #thoughts #informality #economic #consequences
