Day: March 5, 2024

The weather Tuesday is temporarily cloudy in most regions, growing sometimes very cloudy in the north with scattered and temporarily stormy in north-west regions. The wind is blowing west relatively strong to strong near coast and on heights and light to moderate elsewhere. The sea is very choppy in the north and in the guld of Hammamet and choppy elsewhere. Temperatures are slightly up with highs ranging between 14°C and 20°C in the north and on heights and between 20 and 24°C elsewhere. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The Arab Institute of Business Leaders (IACE) has recommended "a non-traditional approach" to the management of the street economy, in this case the "Souk de la rue d'Espagne", while "keeping it in its natural environment by exercising control through the regularisation of the situation of informal traders, territorial management, the issuing of licences, the imposition of taxes and fines and, above all, the establishment of timetables for the installation and dismantling of street markets. In a recently published note entitled "Solutions to the challenges of the informal and street economy in Tunisia: between research and socio-economic issues," the Institute explained that the street economy is defined as the exchange of all kinds of goods and services in public spaces such as streets, street corners and squares. It encompasses all kinds of economic, social, cultural and artistic activities that take place on the streets. Previously scorned by economists and politicians, this economy has become the main provider of the needs of the poor, with hundreds of sub-sectors. The IACE considered that the creation of formal markets, organised in closed centres rather than on the streets, is not a sustainable and economically profitable solution for street economy professionals, due to the limited capacity of formal markets, the loss of the strategic aspect of this economy, and land and budgetary obstacles... Hence the need to define an alternative, far from approaches based on repression or marginalisation. What is needed are gradual, flexible and inclusive mechanisms to ensure that this activity is properly regulated and reconciled with the demands of urban life. That said, the IACE underlines the need to integrate street vendors and merchants in an orderly manner that respects the urban environment, by developing dedicated, regulated spaces that are appropriate for each player, and by ensuring that they do not enter into direct competition with neighbouring commercial establishments. In addition, the Institute r ecommends carefully selecting the beneficiaries of these spaces, giving priority to those who have demonstrated their ability to make a stable and sustainable livelihood out of it, in order to guarantee a degree of control over the activity and ensure that participants comply with the laws in force. The IACE further reiterated the need for the gradual legalisation of the informal market, with a view to its full integration into the legal framework. "The establishment of appropriate fiscal and administrative mechanisms, while keeping a presence on the street, offers a way towards effective regulation while avoiding an abrupt transition that could upset the current balance," the institute pointed out. The latter also considered that it would be wise to establish administrative and civic control to guarantee compliance with the set rules. "The regularisation of traders, territorial management and the imposition of reasonable taxes will help preserve order while promoting harmonious coexistence," reads the no te. The Institute also recommended flexible opening hours for these activities, which will help harmonise the street economy with urban life. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

An online marketplace called "Souk Lemdina" dedicated to the promotion of Tunisian crafts was launched at the initiative of the Medina of Yasmine Hammamet in collaboration with the Tunisian startup "ileycom." This is a multi-dimensional marketing platform accessible on both the local and international markets, designed to provide support for local craftspeople and young entrepreneurs. "Souk Lemdina" will offer a diverse range of craft products, from works of art and decoration to fashion and wellness items, showcasing the exceptional skills of the Medina's craftspeople. Customers will be able to buy handicrafts online and receive them anywhere in the world, thereby helping to preserve and promote traditional Tunisian craftsmanship while supporting the local economy. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

A system for settling dual jurisdiction disputes within the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and preferential treatment for developing and the least developed countries in the application of agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers were adopted at the end of a negotiating marathon held at the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13). A Ministerial Decision supported by Tunisia on reforming the dispute settlement system, which enshrines the principle of dual jurisdiction at the WTO and guarantees a transparent and participatory approach to negotiations, was also adopted during this 13th Ministerial Conference, held on February 26-March 1 in the UAE, reads a Trade Ministry press release. The members further adopted, as part of the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration, provisions to improve use of the special and differential treatment (S and DT) provisions for developing and least developed countries (LDCs) aimed at helping them benefit from technical assistance so as to implement t he Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). Talks on agriculture and fisheries were not successful, given the divergent positions of member countries, said the Trade Ministry. The MC13 further provided an opportunity for the Tunisian delegation to defend the country's stance on the need for a fairer, more efficient and global multilateral trading system within the WTO. Tunisian officials also seized the opportunity to confirm national positions on issues under negotiation, pending the holding of other ministerial conferences. The Tunisian delegation highlighted, in connection to e-commerce, the importance of taking the "development" dimension into consideration in negotiations underway within the organisation. It proposed that an international compensation mechanism be set up for developing countries and the least developed nations in order to remedy the lack of customs revernues resulting from fai lure to leby customs duties on electronic transactions. With regard to the agricultural sector, the Tunisian delegation emphasised the need to show greater flexibility towards net food importing countries, including Tunisia, so as to avoid forcing them to reduce local subsidies granted to farmers. In another connection, the delegation voiced commitment to the right of developing countries to special and preferential treatment in maritime fisheries. The delegation likewise defended the principle of joint responsibility so that countries responsible for depleting fish stocks should bear a greater share of the burden. Developing countries, such as Tunisia, can thus pursue their policy of developing and reforming the sector in such a way as to safeguard their food security. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Some 101 reports of water cuts were logged by the Tunisian Water Observatory in February 2024. Sfax took the lead with 18 reports, followed by by Nabeul (16), data published Tuesday by the observatory show. The observatory recorded 13 protests over difficutlites to access drinking water or water supply issues. These data were published following the announcement by Director General of Rural Engineering and Water Exploitation at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fiheries Abdelhamid Mnejja that 115 water projects had been completed with a further 92 in progress. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse