Translation of the News Article
Speech by Aslan Berjeb, President of Conect
During the conference, Aslan Berjeb, President of Conect, presented the private sector's vision, particularly that of SMEs, regarding the necessary reforms for their development and internationalization. He emphasized that exchange rate regulation remains a major obstacle for SMEs operating in cross-border trade, a problem that regularly appears in the results of the SME health barometers conducted annually by the Confederation.
Challenges Faced by Tunisian Enterprises
Transportation and logistics, as well as access to financing and markets, are, according to him, recurring obstacles for Tunisian companies. Various studies conducted by the organization have indeed revealed that, beyond the difficulties in accessing financing, SMEs often lack understanding of their own needs in terms of support. Another point mentioned by the President of Conect concerns the specifications. According to him, the delay in their revision or introduction can be partly explained by the attempts of certain major players to maintain their dominant position in the market.
Responsibility of the Administration
However, the administration also bears a significant share of responsibility and must, he insisted, accelerate the implementation of new specifications to facilitate the exercise of economic activities. The acceleration of the digitalization of the administration is, according to Berjeb, necessary today to meet the needs of companies and fight more effectively against corruption.
Major Obstacles to Development
The lack of land supply represents, in his opinion, a major obstacle to the development of large investments, whether in the industrial sector, renewable energies, or the automotive sector.
Call to Action
"Let's join hands with the public sector to move forward in the development of the country," he concluded.
