Financial Crime World

Tunisia’s Business Environment and Anti-Corruption Efforts

Overview

Tunisia, a country in North Africa that underwent a significant transition to democracy after the Arab Spring, has been working to establish a business-friendly environment and combat corruption. However, despite progress, challenges remain.

Business Environment

  • Tunisia ranked 67th out of 190 economies in terms of ease of doing business according to the World Bank’s Doing Business 2017 report.
  • The country has made efforts to improve its business climate, but more work is needed to attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth.

Corruption

  • Corruption is a significant issue in Tunisia, with 72% of respondents believing corruption had increased over the past two years according to the Global Corruption Barometer 2015 survey.
  • Corruption can have severe consequences for business, including bribery, extortion, and favoritism.

Anti-Corruption Efforts

  • The government has established several anti-corruption bodies, including the Portail National Pour La Lutte Anti-Corruption, which aims to promote transparency and accountability in public procurement and governance.
  • These efforts are crucial for building trust between citizens and the government, as well as creating a favorable business environment.

Media Freedom

  • Post-revolution Tunisia has experienced a more free press, with the media able to scrutinize government officials and bring corruption to light.
  • However, violence against reporters continues to be a problem, and defamation laws are inconsistent with the new constitution.

Civil Society

  • Civil society participation is uneven but has become increasingly important in Tunisia’s transition to democracy.
  • Civil society was involved in drawing up the new constitution and solving the political crisis of 2013, demonstrating its crucial role in shaping the country’s future.

Sources:

  • World Bank: Doing Business 2017
  • Transparency International: Global Corruption Barometer 2015
  • OECD: Stocktaking Report on MENA Public Procurement Systems 2016
  • Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: “Capitalizing on Tunisia’s Transition: The role of Broad-Based Reform”, 15 November 2016
  • Foreign Policy: “How Tunisia’s Crooked Cops Are Undermining the Revolution”, 9 February 2016