Economic Development Plan 2026: A New Era for Tunisia
The Head of Government, Sarra Zaâfrani Zanzri, chaired a ministerial meeting to discuss the Economic Balance 2026 project, a strategic document that aims to guide the country's economic and social policy. This meeting marks a significant turning point, signaling a new era of planning based on citizen and regional contributions.
A New Approach to Development
The Economic Balance 2026 is the first step in a broader development plan for the 2026-2030 period. The Head of Government emphasized the importance of this new approach, which is in line with President Kaïs Saïed's vision. Unlike traditional methods, this "bottom-up" strategy is built on proposals and needs expressed directly by local, regional, and district councils. The goal is to ensure equitable and inclusive development, where social justice and economic efficiency go hand in hand.
Objectives for a Resilient Economy
The council defined priority axes for 2026, including:
- Improving the living conditions of Tunisians and reducing social inequalities
- Stimulating investment to create new opportunities
- Strengthening the economy's capacity to resist shocks and crises
- Launching projects proposed by local and regional councils in 2026, transforming the theory of decentralization into concrete actions
- Pursuing reforms to optimize public policies and accelerate the execution of projects, both public and private
Pillars of Sustainable and Equitable Development
The development plan is based on four pillars:
- Economic and Social Inclusion: extending social protection and facilitating access to basic services like healthcare and education for vulnerable categories
- Human Capital Development: reforming education and vocational training, and strengthening scientific research and innovation
- Economic Competitiveness and Investment: simplifying administrative procedures, modernizing services, and strengthening infrastructure
- Sustainability: committing to a green economy, renewable energy, and responsible management of natural resources to address climate challenges
Recommendations and Future Perspectives
At the end of the meeting, several recommendations were made for the upcoming year, including:
- Consolidating the foundations of the social state
- Recruiting staff in the public sector and regularizing construction workers
- Supporting low-income families and improving the quality of public services
- Stimulating growth by diversifying financing sources for public investment and integrating the parallel economy This new participatory and region-based approach marks an important step in Tunisia's development history, with the hope of building a stronger economy and a more just society.
