Plan for Dividing Sfax Governorate Not Included in Region 4's Development Plan
The proposal to divide the Sfax governorate into two distinct entities will not be included in the upcoming development plan for Region 4 (2026-2030). This was confirmed by Sofiane Salmi, the president of the Region 4 council, which represents the governorates of Sfax, Sidi Bouzid, Gafsa, and Tozeur.
During a press conference in Sfax, Salmi clarified the council's position, explaining that the division project, although proposed by the Sfax regional council, does not align with the vision of the Region 4 council. He deemed the proposal contradictory to the current project of grouping governorates into five large regions, emphasizing that the goal is regional development, not fragmentation.
Large-Scale Projects to Connect Southern Governorates
The Region 4 development plan has been submitted to the Minister of Economy and Planning. It was developed in collaboration with administrations, institutions, and elected councils of the four governorates, and focuses on large-scale projects that enhance connectivity and regional development. Among the major initiatives proposed are:
- Express Road Projects:
- A highway connecting Sfax to Tozeur, up to the border.
- A fast route between Sfax and the city of Skhira, then to Kairouan, via Bir Ali Ben Khelifa and Manzel Chaker.
- Economic Corridor:
- Creating an economic corridor between Sfax and Kasserine, via Sidi Bouzid, to open Region 4 to Region 3.
- Port Infrastructure:
- Modernizing the commercial port of Sfax.
- Building a new deep-water port in Skhira for phosphate and chemical activities.
- Tourism:
- Creating a tourist route connecting the four governorates (Sfax, Gafsa, Tozeur, Sidi Bouzid).
- Expanding and rehabilitating Route 22, essential for economic exchanges between Sfax and Mahdia.
These projects, some of which are already under study, aim to improve the road network, boost the economy, and strengthen the tourism sector, creating an integrated development vision for the four governorates of southern Tunisia.
