Investment Declaration: A Crucial Step in Business Creation
According to Kais Fekih, an accounting expert, the investment declaration is considered the primary and most important document in the business creation process. This step comes after a quick initial phase: reserving the company name, which usually takes less than half a day. Once the name is reserved, you can begin the online declaration process.
For the service and industry sectors, the declaration is made on the website of the Investment Promotion Agency (API). For agricultural investments, the procedure is similar but takes place via the APIA (Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency), which uses a comparable platform with specificities related to agriculture (irrigated, non-irrigated, intensification, etc.).
Here are the steps to follow:
- Fill out the online form The form is detailed and requires several pieces of information: investor identity and profile, investment scheme, planned equipment and its cost, as well as the project's financial resources. These data constitute the basis for evaluating the file.
- Select the activity correctly Choosing the activity is crucial. It must correspond to an existing category in the agency's nomenclature. Opting for the activity closest to your project avoids unnecessary delays. For example, in the IT sector, you must choose between "software development," "IT consulting," or "information and communication."
- Validate the request and wait for the response Once all sections are completed, the investor must specify the company's creation and start date, then make an online payment. The API sends a response within a maximum of 24 hours, either validating the request or asking for additional information.
- Respect financial conditions Project acceptance depends on clear financial criteria. Investments exceeding 15 million dinars are handled by the Tunisia Investment Agency (TIA) with an accelerated procedure, while smaller projects are handled by the API. The declared capital must be consistent with the total investment, and at least 30% must come from own funds; otherwise, the file is rejected. Having a working capital fund is also an asset for the project's credibility.
- Declare suitable equipment The equipment mentioned in the file must match the activity. A pizzeria that does not indicate a pizza oven will see its project refused. API agents are perfectly familiar with the essential equipment for each sector, hence the importance of being precise and realistic.
- Special case of industry Industrial projects, particularly in plastics, require even more precision. A mini business plan is required, specifying the raw material used, its origin, purchase state, necessary quantities, planned supply, and allocated annual budget. Additional needs like electricity or additives must also be indicated.
- Detail the final production Finally, the file must present the expected results: annual quantity produced, projected turnover, and, in some cases, a scheme of the transformation process. This proves mastery of the production chain and facilitates obtaining the investment approval.
By following these steps and respecting the financial conditions, you can successfully complete the investment declaration and move forward with your business creation project.
