Tunisia: Between 200,000 and 400,000 Jobs Thanks to Logistics
23 August 2011
Read by 1335 persons
The revival of logistics, an activity capable of generating between 200,000 and 400,000 jobs, is urgent for Tunisia, where projects related to the sector are lagging. Covering all activities necessary to optimize the flow of goods, from raw material production to the final customer receiving the finished product, logistics relies on many pillars, including the development of information system infrastructure and customs.
It is undoubtedly an essential factor in supporting the country's economic and regional development. However, this sector currently suffers from a deficit in infrastructure, organization, and attractiveness.
As Tunisia enters a new stage of its development, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive upgrading of logistics to make it a lever of competitiveness and a major asset for the development of the industrial and commercial sectors, for the inclusion and economic development of disadvantaged areas, and to make Tunisia a major regional logistics hub.
First and foremost, the development of logistics in Tunisia would improve the competitiveness of the economic fabric by increasing the responsiveness of businesses to their customers and lowering transport and storage costs.
To do this, Tunisia should improve its transport and warehousing infrastructure, implement an appropriate legislative framework, and encourage the emergence of local logistics champions.
According to a study by the logistics and distribution consulting firm "Cofinter," studies on the creation of logistics zones are being carried out in Tunisia, with a pilot project at the port of Radès.
However, the country currently suffers from a deficit of several million square meters of warehouses, which prevents the mass flow of goods and considerably increases logistics costs, which reach 20% of GDP, and an average cost of 16% of the turnover of Tunisian companies, compared to 11% on average in developed countries.
The study, launched two years ago on behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Equipment, also shows that road transport, which represents 30 billion tonne-kilometers per year, is mainly carried out in direct deliveries by small trucks, for own account, with a low fill rate and 60% empty returns, generating more than 3 million tonnes of CO2 per year. The informal sector still represents a significant share of GDP. The study also specifies that logistics zones generate on average one direct job per 100 m² of warehouse, in addition to 4 indirect jobs.
In this context, logistics projects are medium-term, whereas after the revolution, priority is given to restoring confidence, addressing the issue of social demands, and disadvantaged regions.
Nadia Ben Tamansourt
Published on August 22, 2011.
Posted online on August 23, 2011.
Africanmanager.com
It is undoubtedly an essential factor in supporting the country's economic and regional development. However, this sector currently suffers from a deficit in infrastructure, organization, and attractiveness.
As Tunisia enters a new stage of its development, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive upgrading of logistics to make it a lever of competitiveness and a major asset for the development of the industrial and commercial sectors, for the inclusion and economic development of disadvantaged areas, and to make Tunisia a major regional logistics hub.
First and foremost, the development of logistics in Tunisia would improve the competitiveness of the economic fabric by increasing the responsiveness of businesses to their customers and lowering transport and storage costs.
To do this, Tunisia should improve its transport and warehousing infrastructure, implement an appropriate legislative framework, and encourage the emergence of local logistics champions.
According to a study by the logistics and distribution consulting firm "Cofinter," studies on the creation of logistics zones are being carried out in Tunisia, with a pilot project at the port of Radès.
However, the country currently suffers from a deficit of several million square meters of warehouses, which prevents the mass flow of goods and considerably increases logistics costs, which reach 20% of GDP, and an average cost of 16% of the turnover of Tunisian companies, compared to 11% on average in developed countries.
The study, launched two years ago on behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Equipment, also shows that road transport, which represents 30 billion tonne-kilometers per year, is mainly carried out in direct deliveries by small trucks, for own account, with a low fill rate and 60% empty returns, generating more than 3 million tonnes of CO2 per year. The informal sector still represents a significant share of GDP. The study also specifies that logistics zones generate on average one direct job per 100 m² of warehouse, in addition to 4 indirect jobs.
In this context, logistics projects are medium-term, whereas after the revolution, priority is given to restoring confidence, addressing the issue of social demands, and disadvantaged regions.
Nadia Ben Tamansourt
Published on August 22, 2011.
Posted online on August 23, 2011.
Africanmanager.com
