Tunisia: Economic Indicators During the First 11 Months of 2012
5 January 2013
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Economic indicators for the first eleven months of 2012 and project progress were the main points discussed by the Minister of Regional Development and Planning, Jamaleddine Gharbi, Friday morning, during a press conference at the ministry's headquarters in Tunis.
The minister indicated that projects declared during the first 11 months of 2012 with funding of 5 million Tunisian dinars (TND) reached 103 projects at a total cost of 1,765 TND. These should create 10,268 new jobs. He added that private investment increased, with 28 projects completed with capital reaching 4,331 TND, creating 1,237 jobs. He highlighted that 85 other projects are underway, with an estimated cost of 1,694.8 TND and expected to create 14,806 jobs.
In the same context, Jameleddine Gharbi explained that under the "start-up fund" agreement, 220 projects were approved with a total cost of 375,000 dinars. He noted that this agreement is between the Ministry of Regional Development and Planning and the Tunisian Solidarity Bank (BTS).
The minister emphasized the development imbalance between regions, with 75% of economic establishments located in Greater Tunis and the governorates of Sousse, Sfax, and Monastir, stressing the importance of private investment, particularly in industry.
Furthermore, he stated that the trade balance for the first 11 months of 2012 recorded a deficit of 10,703.8 TND compared to a deficit of 7,828 TND during the same period in 2011. In this regard, Mr. Gharbi recalled that the price increase, which reached 5.5% in November 2012 compared to the same month of the previous year, was due to a 7.6% increase in the prices of consumer goods and beverages, 2.9% for transport, and 7.7% for clothing and footwear.
Meanwhile, the director-general of production sectors at the Ministry of Regional Development and Planning, Youssef Bouhlel, explained during the press conference that the overall increase in local production reached 3.4% during the first nine months of 2012. This is mainly the result of a 4% increase in agricultural growth, 10.5% for chemical industries, and 14.7% in tourism.
Referring to sectoral indicators, he indicated that an 11.6% increase was recorded in cement sales on the local market during the first 11 months of 2012.
Phosphate production during the same period increased by 16.9% compared to a decrease of 69.2% during the same period in 2011.
Mr. Bouhlel also reported a 2% decrease in oil production during the first 11 months of 2012 compared to a 14.7% decrease during the same period in 2011.
Regarding foreign trade, the director-general of production sectors at the Ministry of Regional Development and Planning specified that exports increased by 6.3% during the first 11 months of 2012 compared to 7.3% in 2011, while imports increased by 14.1% compared to 6.1% during the same period in 2011.
"Investment intentions in the industrial sector decreased by 6.2%, while related services saw a 32.6% growth during the first 11 months of 2012," he said.
The director-general of production sectors indicated that declared foreign direct investment increased by 29.2% during the first 11 months of 2012, and projects were carried out with an envelope of 1809 TND compared to 1400 TND during the same period in 2011.
These projects created 9443 new jobs in 2012, including 8370 in the manufacturing sector.
Mr. Bouhlel emphasized that foreign-participated companies that entered the operating phase during the first nine months of 2012 numbered 90, with investments of approximately 507 TND and generating 3826 jobs. He added that 207 foreign direct investment projects are currently underway with an estimated envelope of 780 TND and will create 11,658 jobs.
Regarding the national program for the redevelopment of industrial zones, between March and May 2011, the development program for 101 zones covering an area of 3065 hectares was updated, instead of 50 industrial zones covering an area of 1226 hectares.
Note that the new version of the website of the Ministry of Regional Development and Planning was presented during this press conference.
Babnet.net
Posted online January 4, 2013.
The minister indicated that projects declared during the first 11 months of 2012 with funding of 5 million Tunisian dinars (TND) reached 103 projects at a total cost of 1,765 TND. These should create 10,268 new jobs. He added that private investment increased, with 28 projects completed with capital reaching 4,331 TND, creating 1,237 jobs. He highlighted that 85 other projects are underway, with an estimated cost of 1,694.8 TND and expected to create 14,806 jobs.
In the same context, Jameleddine Gharbi explained that under the "start-up fund" agreement, 220 projects were approved with a total cost of 375,000 dinars. He noted that this agreement is between the Ministry of Regional Development and Planning and the Tunisian Solidarity Bank (BTS).
The minister emphasized the development imbalance between regions, with 75% of economic establishments located in Greater Tunis and the governorates of Sousse, Sfax, and Monastir, stressing the importance of private investment, particularly in industry.
Furthermore, he stated that the trade balance for the first 11 months of 2012 recorded a deficit of 10,703.8 TND compared to a deficit of 7,828 TND during the same period in 2011. In this regard, Mr. Gharbi recalled that the price increase, which reached 5.5% in November 2012 compared to the same month of the previous year, was due to a 7.6% increase in the prices of consumer goods and beverages, 2.9% for transport, and 7.7% for clothing and footwear.
Meanwhile, the director-general of production sectors at the Ministry of Regional Development and Planning, Youssef Bouhlel, explained during the press conference that the overall increase in local production reached 3.4% during the first nine months of 2012. This is mainly the result of a 4% increase in agricultural growth, 10.5% for chemical industries, and 14.7% in tourism.
Referring to sectoral indicators, he indicated that an 11.6% increase was recorded in cement sales on the local market during the first 11 months of 2012.
Phosphate production during the same period increased by 16.9% compared to a decrease of 69.2% during the same period in 2011.
Mr. Bouhlel also reported a 2% decrease in oil production during the first 11 months of 2012 compared to a 14.7% decrease during the same period in 2011.
Regarding foreign trade, the director-general of production sectors at the Ministry of Regional Development and Planning specified that exports increased by 6.3% during the first 11 months of 2012 compared to 7.3% in 2011, while imports increased by 14.1% compared to 6.1% during the same period in 2011.
"Investment intentions in the industrial sector decreased by 6.2%, while related services saw a 32.6% growth during the first 11 months of 2012," he said.
The director-general of production sectors indicated that declared foreign direct investment increased by 29.2% during the first 11 months of 2012, and projects were carried out with an envelope of 1809 TND compared to 1400 TND during the same period in 2011.
These projects created 9443 new jobs in 2012, including 8370 in the manufacturing sector.
Mr. Bouhlel emphasized that foreign-participated companies that entered the operating phase during the first nine months of 2012 numbered 90, with investments of approximately 507 TND and generating 3826 jobs. He added that 207 foreign direct investment projects are currently underway with an estimated envelope of 780 TND and will create 11,658 jobs.
Regarding the national program for the redevelopment of industrial zones, between March and May 2011, the development program for 101 zones covering an area of 3065 hectares was updated, instead of 50 industrial zones covering an area of 1226 hectares.
Note that the new version of the website of the Ministry of Regional Development and Planning was presented during this press conference.
Babnet.net
Posted online January 4, 2013.
