EY's 10th Annual "Barometer" Study Reveals Insights into Tunisian Business Leaders' Sentiment
Each year, EY (Ernst & Young) conducts a study titled "The EY Barometer in Tunisia," providing an objective analysis of the morale, concerns, and perspectives of business leaders in Tunisia.
This year marks the 10th edition of the Barometer, held on July 18, 2024, at EY Tower. This significant edition celebrates 12 years of continuous engagement in analyzing and understanding the dynamics of Tunisian businesses.
Among the honored guests and panelists at the event were Néjia Gharbi, Director General of the CDC, Khelil Chaibi, President of the Tunisian-French Chamber of Commerce, and Aslan Berjeb, President of the Conect.
The event was distinguished by the presentation of the Barometer's results by Mounir Ghazali, Partner EY Consulting GPS Leader, and Anis Laâdhar, Partner EY Strategy and Transaction. Notably, the survey was conducted from May 7 to June 18, 2024, and gathered responses from 251 participants from diverse sectors, sizes, and revenue levels.
This analysis builds upon a decade of data and valuable insights, aiming to identify the trends that have shaped the business climate in Tunisia.
Regarding the country's economic and social situation, 84% of business leaders perceive a deterioration. Among them, 54% are at the helm of 100% local enterprises.
This year, expectations for an improvement in the investment climate show a slight decline. The analysis highlights a disconnect between the perception of the investment climate and the actual strategies of businesses, suggesting resilience and a willingness to seize opportunities.
However, various obstacles hinder the investment climate, including administrative burdens, exchange restrictions, and the prevalence of the informal sector in the economy.
The sectoral analysis of the 2024 survey reveals that service quality, public administration, and tax pressure are major concerns for businesses in the industrial production and services sectors.
A closer examination shows that in the commerce sector, half of the survey participants reported a deterioration in supply chain trends, contrary to last year, when only 48% perceived an improvement.
Regarding public investment, 39% of executives believe that renewable energy should be the top priority for the next five years, while 36% prioritize infrastructure. In contrast, only 7% of executives consider healthcare to be the top priority for public investment during this period.
In parallel, 53% of executives think that forced digitalization (through an organic law) of public services is a measure that should be implemented immediately by public authorities to improve public finances.
