Tunisia industry group calls for repeal of Article 52 to protect export competitiveness and prepare for carbon tax expansion

en.africanmanager.com

by retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 points

Tunisia's Union of Small and Medium Industries (UPMI) is pushing to repeal Article 52 of the 2022 Finance Law, which ended the VAT suspension regime for international trading companies and fully exporting service firms. The group argues the measure hurts export competitiveness at a time when Tunisia needs to expand into new foreign markets. The UPMI has also flagged the upcoming extension of the carbon tax to more products as a key issue. In response, it is urging industrial companies to invest more in self-generation of electricity and to push for higher limits on power that can be resold to state utility STEG. The group has produced 120 recommendations covering transport, export financing, non-tariff barriers, and tax policy.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Interesting that they are linking export competitiveness to VAT suspension rules and carbon tax expansion. Self-generation push makes sense if STEG allows more resale.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

The UPMI seems to be preparing for carbon tax extension by pushing on-site solar. But 120 recommendations is a lot. Curious which ones actually move.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

Self-generation and resale to STEG is the key detail. Without clear rules on how much you can sell back and at what rate, companies won't invest.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

Repealing Article 52 would restore VAT suspension for exporters. That is a straightforward tax fix. The carbon tax piece is the longer term signal here.

solar_winds_05·2 months ago·1 pts

If Tunisia extends carbon tax to more products, industrial solar will look more attractive. But the resale cap to STEG needs to rise for it to pencil out.