The Minister of Economy declares a reduction in tax pressure to 24.9% by 2027

Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdul Hafez announced Wednesday morning at Bardou Palace that the tax pressure rate will drop to 24.9% in the budget project for 2027. The minister explained during a joint public session to discuss the two economic and state budget projects that the ratio was at 25.7% in 2026 after reaching 26.1% in 2024.

The Minister stressed that the Finance Bill for 2027 does not include measures to boost tax and performance ratios, but includes financial and food incentives aimed at encouraging private initiative, investment and facilitating the creation of projects. He pointed out that a higher share of tax resources in the private sector does not automatically mean an increase in tax pressure, explaining that the pressure is calculated by dividing tax resources over gross domestic product, while the rise in the tax burden on inputs is due to a decrease in non-tax resources coming from public institutions.

Abdul Hafez addressed the issue of borrowing, explaining that medium-term trends aim to reduce public debt to about 82% of GDP by 2029. He added that the State's recourse to the Central Bank of Tunisia's budget financing facilities is an exceptional measure that dictates the privacy of the financial situation and avoids the high cost of domestic and external borrowing, noting that it does not always represent a structural direction.

The Minister responded to MPs' concerns about the impact of direct facilities on inflation and private sector opportunities in banking financing, pointing out that the inflationary implications are still being studied and that exceptional financing is not linked to private enterprises' access to loans. He stressed that the policy adopted in the medium term focuses on self-financing, control of initial deficit and public spending rationalization.

These financial trends come after official confirmations on spending priorities for next year, where Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdul Hafez has already announced that 63% of the 2027 budget expenditure will be allocated to the social sphere, along with the easing of commitment appropriations allocated for the Global Development Programme.