Tunisia’s New Foreign‑Exchange Code Set to Enter Parliamentary Hearings
Date: Friday, 20 February 2026
Source: Express FM interview with Maher Ktari, President of the Finance Committee, Assembly of the People’s Representatives
Key Announcement
Maher Ktari announced that the draft law establishing a new Foreign‑Exchange (FX) Code, which has been pending in Parliament since October 2025, will begin its hearing phase on Monday, 27 February 2026 within the Finance Committee.
Hearing Process
- Initial focus – The first round will target the legislators who originated the bill.
- Broadening scope – Subsequent sessions will progressively involve a wide range of financial actors, experts, and stakeholders from both Tunisia and abroad.
Objectives of the New FX Code
| Goal | Description |
|---|---|
| Modernise the legal framework | Align Tunisia’s exchange regulations with rapid economic and technological changes. |
| Universal applicability | Cover all economic sectors and apply to individuals, students, residents, non‑residents, and exporting companies. |
| Boost foreign investment | Simplify administrative procedures and integrate digital currencies and electronic platforms into the legal regime. |
| Empower residents | Grant Tunisian residents the right to hold foreign‑currency assets and open foreign‑currency accounts without prior approval from the Central Bank of Tunisia. |
| Facilitate inbound foreign‑currency earnings | Particularly benefit young Tunisians working remotely for international platforms. |
| Reduce bureaucratic hurdles | Cut down on authorisations and constraints to better serve a globalised, digitally‑oriented generation. |
| Gradual, controlled opening | Position the reform as a progressive step toward a more open Tunisian economy. |
Expected Economic Impact
- Attractiveness for foreign investors – Streamlined processes and legal certainty are projected to make Tunisia a more appealing destination for FDI.
- Growth of digital‑currency activities – By recognising cryptocurrencies and e‑payment platforms, the law aims to foster innovation in the fintech sector.
- Increased foreign‑currency inflows – Easier account opening for residents is expected to channel more remittances and remote‑work earnings into the national economy.
- Youth empowerment – Reducing legal obstacles will help young Tunisians contribute more effectively to national development upon returning home.
Call for Legislative‑Executive Coordination
Ktari stressed the need for tight coordination between the legislative and executive branches to produce a consensus‑based text that:
- Expands investment prospects,
- Reinforces confidence in the capacity of young Tunisians to drive economic growth, and
- Ensures a stable, transparent, and forward‑looking foreign‑exchange environment.
Related Reading
Read also: Derbali – “Past policies have widened development gaps between regions”
Keywords: Tunisia, foreign‑exchange code, FX law, Maher Ktari, finance committee, parliamentary hearings, digital currency, fintech, foreign investment, economic reform, remittances, remote work, youth empowerment.
