Economist Ridha Chkandali Warns About the Fallout of Poorly‑Studied Legislative Reforms
Tunis, Tuesday evening – In a note posted on his official Facebook page, economist Ridha Chkandali cautioned that several recent legislative changes, which he describes as “insufficiently examined,” have triggered a sharp rise in the amount of money circulating outside the formal banking system.
Key Points
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Two laws identified as the main drivers of the surge in cash payments made outside organized channels, amounting to a “colossal” 27.5 billion dinars.
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The reforms in question include:
- New legislation on checks
- Electronic invoicing rules
- Abolition of the provision that prohibited cash transactions above 5,000 dinars
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Public Treasury hit hardest: the informal‑economy boom is eroding potential tax revenues.
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Bank deposits are shrinking, which reduces liquidity in banks and hampers their ability to finance the private sector through credit.
Conclusion
Chkandali warns that, if left unchecked, these measures could set back the Tunisian economy. He urges Parliament to re‑examine the contested laws before a catastrophe unfolds.
Source: Facebook post by Ridha Chkandali (translated from French).
