Economic Outlook: Tunisian-French Businesses Remain Optimistic Despite Challenges
Barometer 2024 Reveals Insights into Business Performance and 2025 Forecasts
From October 30 to December 12, 2024, the Tunisian-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCITF) conducted a survey among its member companies, gathering the views of 243 Tunisian and French business leaders.
The primary objective of this initiative is to analyze the essential dynamics influencing businesses in Tunisia and France, including turnover, investment aspirations, the impact of the economic, social, and political context, performance factors, sustainable development goals, and expectations regarding services provided by the Chamber.
Despite various challenges in the Tunisian business environment, business leaders' reactions convey a constant sense of hope for 2025. The study's findings highlight the resilience of Tunisian and French companies, despite a nuanced economic environment.
2025 Forecasts: Optimism Prevails
For 2025, 58% of companies expect an increase in their turnover, while only 11% anticipate a decrease. However, the 2024 results fell short of expectations, with a difference of around 14% compared to the previous survey.
Investment levels in Tunisia have also slowed down, with 41% of companies considering them stable in 2024, compared to 33% in 2023. The forecasts for the new exercise are more cautious, with 40% of participants anticipating a stable trend, representing an 11% increase compared to the previous year, while 39% expect an increase, a 5% decrease compared to the previous year.
Trade Relations with France: Stability and Caution
Regarding commercial transactions with France, the results show stability between the 2024 balance and the 2025 forecasts. These encouraging, albeit cautious, results reaffirm the intense dynamic driving economic relations between Tunisia and France.
It is worth noting that France remains Tunisia's main commercial partner, accounting for nearly a quarter of our exports. However, business leaders appear more hesitant about commercial transactions with Africa in 2025, noting a slowdown in progress prospects.
Support for Internationalization and Partnership
Since last year, companies have been asking the CCITF to help them internationalize, assist them in finding partners in France, and defend their interests with government institutions.
Summary
This barometer testifies to the economic resilience of Tunisian-French businesses in 2023-2024, despite the obstacles they faced. Furthermore, it highlights measured expectations for progress in terms of performance, investments, and trade with France and Africa for 2025, given the uncertainty surrounding the business climate in Tunisia.
