Impact of the coronavirus disease crisis on Tunisian firms : Constraints and opportunities Sub regional Office for North Africa

Abstract

The present report contains the main findings of a survey conducted among 1,000 Tunisian companies between November and December 2020. The analysis of the findings highlights some of the key effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had in Tunisia, such as financial constraints, and the asymmetry of the shock, with the services sector being the most affected. The pandemic had a strong impact on investment, which appears to have fallen sharply in the construction and civil engineering sector (−22 per cent) and the hotel and catering sector (−22.8 per cent). The report also sheds light on the role of public policies in mitigating the effects of the crisis and supporting the recovery from COVID-19. Like many other countries, Tunisia implemented policy measures to support businesses, such as rescheduling payments of tax arrears and the temporary suspension of some penalties.