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Our Contribution
to Freedom and Development











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Table of Contents
Preface
I The situation after the revolution
The political and security levels
The economic and social levels
Challenges and obstacles
II Our contribution to serving the Tunisian people
The political and human rights levels
The economic and financial levels
The development level
The social level









Preface

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During the period following Tunisias glorious revolution, the country went through
difficult times and violent crises that threatened the very foundations of the state. These
crises nearly destroyed the revolutions accomplishments and the peoples dreams of a
prosperous Tunisia, high amongst the leading democratic countries where one can enjoy
freedom, comfort and a dignified life.
Fully aware of the fragility of the phase and the gravity of the threats, Ennahdha Movement
worked within the political system and with civil society alongside the government to
provide the conditions for success of our countrys first democratic, fair and transparent
elections.
The government coalition began its mission, following the elections of October 2011, in an
exceptional political context nationally, regionally and internationally. It had to build the
foundations of a democratic system, establish and maintain the right conditions for its
stability and organise the coming elections in addition to the normal government
responsibilities of running state affairs and managing development, security, social and
economic affairs and initiating structural reforms in many sectors.









I. The Situation after the Revolution

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The government began its mission in highly unstable and challenging political and
economic conditions.
The political and security levels
The characteristics of the political and security situation were:
A notable decline in the role and authority of the State which resulted in an
administrative breakdown and violations in most of the institutional and control
systems coupled with a collapse in security, which contributed to an increase in
organised crime, terrorism and smuggling of goods including fire arms and drugs.
The existence of a general climate dominated by anticipation and fear of the
revolutions repercussions and challenges coupled with very high expectations and
aspirations.
The consecutive interim governments before the elections of 23 October 2011
lacked initiative and had fallen into the trap of easy compromises and submission
to pressures, adopting the policy of easy solutions rather than adopting sustainable
solutions to the challenges.
The economic and social levels
The prevalence of counter-productive strikes and protests and the widespread
mentality of profiteering from the states post-revolution weakness in order to
achieve personal or group interests.
The economic recession in Europe, which impacted very negatively on the Tunisian
economy.
These factors led to the deterioration of most economic indicators such as:
- A steep decline in growth rates (-2%)
- Aggravation of unemployment (18.9%)
- A global rise in prices

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- Increase in indebtedness by more than 4 points (from 40.4% to 44.6%)
Increase in the budget deficit by more than 2 points (1% to 3.3%)
Challenges and Obstacles
The coalition government, led by Ennahdha, fulfilled its duties and responsibilities in all
faithfulness. It adopted a pioneering methodology in running State affairs that combined
competence, humility, commitment and firmness in serving the public interest and
managing many challenges and obstacles such as:
An increase in social demands and disturbances
The undermining of the value of work and decline in productivity
The worsening of the internal situation and the rise in political tensions
The threat of regional developments to the transitional democratic process
The rise of terrorism threatening stability.



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II. Our Contribution to Serving the Tunisian people
The governments four major priorities
The coalition government defined four major priorities for their mandate:
Preserving the stability and solidity of the state and extending security throughout
the country.
Making progress on the economic and social fronts by improving the purchasing
power of the citizen and maintaining control over prices.
Ensuring the success of the transitional democratic phase and taking the country
successfully to the next elections.
Making progress in the transitional justice process in order to address the injustices
committed since independence and implement the general amnesty.
The government made significant strides forward in all of these sectors:
The political and human rights levels
The coalition government and especially Ennahdha b e it through its political leadership
or its parliamentary group played a significant role in the following:
Securing the country from the dangers of anarchy and chaos and ensuring the
continuity of the state and public services;
Preserving social peace and protecting the democratic process through dialogue and
consensus and even through conceding power in order to continue the path of
successful transition and protect our countrys fledgling experience from relapse;
Writing and adopting a constitution that is very progressive and that enshrines
rights and freedom, secures the future of coming generations, preserves and
consolidates our identity, establishes the foundations for good governance and

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enables the regions in the context of decentralisation to achieve inclusive local
development;
Reaching consensus on the establishment of a number of constitutional
commissions, most importantly the supreme independent commission for the
elections;
Fighting corruption, supporting the relevant commissions in this field, creating a
judicial financial centre and launching the process of restoring stolen funds; and
Maintaining public and private freedoms and empowering civil society.
Ensuring Respect for Freedoms
The government worked hard to ensure respect for public and private freedoms and
enable civil society to operate freely and to proactively participate in national affairs.
In this context, the National Commission for Protection from Torture was
established - the first such body in the Arab world - and Tunisia ratified the
voluntary protocol of the United Nations Convention Against Torture.
An Independent and Free Media
On the media front, the government brought into practice Decree n 116 and the
establishment of the supreme independent commission for audio-visual media. It
also activated Decree n 115 organising the journalistic profession, managing its
implementation in association with professional and trade union media structures.
Additionally, much effort was invested in enriching the civil society scene by
building a new structural ad legislative framework that significantly simplifies and
liberalises the process of establishing an association and seeks to develop the
capabilities of civil society.

Reforming the Security Institution

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The government strove to reform the security institution while keeping its
consistency and efficiency, developing its performance and rejecting a revenge
mentality concerning violations and cases of torture during the era of dictatorship.
In addition, the government worked with the Assembly to pass a law introducing a
specific system of indemnities for loss due to work accidents and occupational
illness for members of of internal security forces. This law was consolidated with a
set of government decrees securing the rights of the martyrs of the revolution and
the wounded from the army, national security forces and customs service.

Reforming the judicial system
A comprehensive mid-term programme for 2012-2016 for reforming the judicial
system and related sectors and the prison system was established in association
with international organisations. The government began its implementation
alongside a review of the judicial map and the installation of criminal units at the
courts of first instance to bring judiciary services closer to the citizen. Additionally,
the government prepared a new programme organising the supreme justice council
in order to guarantee the independence of the judicial system and improve its
management.
Establishing transitional justice
The law of transitional justice prepared by the government and approved by the
Constituent Assembly on 15 December 2013 is considered a significant
accomplishment for Tunisia and a step forward in establishing a transitional justice
that addresses past violations while respecting the principles of human rights. The
law has led to the establishment of the Truth and Dignity Commission which has
begun its crucial work.
The government adopted a participatory and inclusive approach in preparing this
law, involving many national and international organisations, associations, experts
and commissions. The government addressed many of the grievances relating to the
revolutions martyrs and those injured during the revolution by providing the latter

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with jobs, grants, treatment and health and social coverage for them and their
families.
The government also activated the decree of the constitutional general amnesty
ratified immediately after the revolution and gave it effect by granting its
beneficiaries their right to employment and to recover their previous jobs and by
helping them enjoy the conditions for a dignified life.
The financial and economic levels
The 2012-2013 period was associated with many economic challenges, most
notably:
Decline in the national production of petroleum and natural gas.
Decrease in earnings from the Algerian gas pipeline (especially in 2013).
Salary increases, part of which had not been programmed in the state budget.
Fall in the exchange rate of the Tunisian Dinar against principal currencies.
The government adoptd an economic policy during 2012 and 2013 based on
stimulating the economy through increasing public investment (to fill the gap left by the
decline in private investment) and maintaining the major fiscal and financial balances in
the country.
Additionally, the government managed to mobilise the countrys financing needs
through international sources and financing many government development
programmes in partnership with international financial bodies and our European
partners by marketing the consensual government experience and mobilising
friendships with many international bodies. Consequently, the grants allocated to the
country in 2012 reached an all-time high of more than 632 million dinars.
Below is a summary of the most important economic results:
1. Growth:

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The national economy achieved positive growth rates, reaching 3.9% in 2012 and 2.6%
in 2013:

The slowdown in growth in 2013 was principally caused by the decrease in agricultural
production, the repercussions of the European recession and the internal political crisis.
2. Employment
The economic recovery in 2012 was coupled with a fall in unemployment rates from
18.9% in the fourth quarter of 2011 to 16.7% in the fourth quarter of 2012 and then to
15.3% by the end of 2013.

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3. Legislative, institutional, economic and financial reforms
In addition to urgent measures to ensure a swift economic recovery, the government
initiated a series of legislative and institutional reforms in a number of economic and
financial systems including:
Gradual adoption of a budget management approach (budgeting by objectives
system) based on set targets.
Initiating reform of the legal framework governing public procurement to make
it more flexible and less time-consuming, including introducing a new e-
procurement system.
Initiating reform of the social welfare system to more accurately target those
who really deserve it and to increase social transfers to needy families.
Preparing a new code of investment and presenting it to the National Constituent
Assembly for approval after extensive regional and national consultations with
sectorial and professional bodies.
Proposing laws related to a new system of public-private partnerships to
increase cooperation between the private and public sectors.
Initiating a reform programme for the banking system.

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Launching a deep reform programme of the taxation system.
Completion of the legal framework for Islamic finance.
Initiating reform of the micro-loan system and establishing a supervisory body
for this important sector.
Carrying out an in-depth study to clarify and assess the relationship between the
tourism and financial sectors and propose areas of reform and restructuring.
Issuing a new special law to facilitate the change of use of agricultural land for
the implementation of the social housing programme and the creation of
industrial zones in internal regions.
Installing a good governance system in managing social funds and conducting an
in-depth study to assess their situation and propose possible reforms.
Reform of the system of vocational training in order to better meet the requirements of
development and the needs of the economy.
The Development level
The government sought to accelerate the pace of development and contribute to the
creation of jobs and the improvement of citizens living conditions, especially in the
prioritised regions. The government targeted its development programmes and projects
specifically towards reducing regional inequalities in development levels, namely by:
Adopting a participatory policy-making process aiming to set the foundations for
a new democratic model based upon local and regional governance.
Adopting criteria for the distribution of budget development allocations (the
repartition key) in a way that takes into consideration the needs of the regions
and their specificities such as unemployment rates, poverty, illiteracy rates,
availability of electricity and drinking water, the state of infrastructure and the
availability of public facilities.

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Undertaking a set of measures and reforms aimed at overcoming the difficulties
and obstacles facing development projects after the revolution as a result of
property and real estate problems, security problems and social movements
blocking the start or continuation a number of projects. The projects undertaken
focused primarily on improving road infrastructure, strengthening urban flood
protection, improving and modernising industrial infrastructure, and projects
relating to agricultural development such as the establishments of dams,
irrigated areas, farming pathways and provision of drinking water. The
government significantly increased development expenditure, mainly oriented
towards internal regions, to reach 5.5 billion dinars in 2012 and 4.8 billion
dinars in 2013. Additionally, farmers and fishermen were exempted from
repaying all agricultural loans principal and surplus that were obtained by
the end of December 2012 and originally not exceeding 5,000 dinars per
farmer/fisherman.
1. Developing Road Infrastructure
The government launched and made progress on a vast range of projects related to
improving road infrastructure including motorways, single carriageways, bridges and rural
roads. The development expenditures in the equipment sector increased from 802 million
TND I 2011 to 1058 million TND in 2012 and 1144 million TND in 2013.


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Regarding the network of highways and single carriageways, below is a small
selection of projects in 2012-13:
- Launch of the construction of the Gabes-Mednine-Ras Jedir highway across 180 km
costing 1000 million TND.
- Launch of the construction of the Wedi Ezzarga-Bou Salem highway across 70 km
costing 430 million TND.
- Continuing the construction of the Sfax-Gabes highway across 155 km costing 817
million TND.
- Launch of consolidation works to 38 km of highway A1 between Hergla and Msaken
costing 22 million TND.
- Developing 900 km of single carriageways costing 345 million TND, due to be
completed in 2014.
- Renovating and developing frontier roads across 139 km costing 75 million TND.
- Continuing the improvement programme for the road network by conducting
maintenance over 141 km of single carriageways costing 70 million TND, to be
completed in 2014.
- Continuing work on the roads of Greater Tunis and the structured roads such as the
regional route 27 at Nabeul, the national route 3 Tunis Elfahs, the circling route at
Msaken, doubling the national road 1 Tina Mahres, the linkage between Borj
Sedria, the highway A1 and the circling route at Elkef, etc.
- Continuing the construction of 12 bridges costing 30 million TND, expected to
complete in 2014.
- Launch of a project to treat 33 points of accumulated road accidents with allocations
nearing 20 million TND to improve driving conditions and ensure traffic safety.

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Expanding the network of rural roads:
The government adopted a programme of developing, paving and reinforcing 7,700 km of
rural roads, of which:
- 3,700 km were initiated in 2012 and 2,200 km during 2013.
- 1,764 km are in the study phase.
It also launched and progressed studies on several major projects, including:
- Continuing the study of the internal highway Tunis Elfahs Kairouan Sidi Bouzid
Kasserine Gafsa.
- Launching the study of the last part of the Maghreb highway between Bou Salem and
the Algerian borders.
- Studying the broadening of the highway Tunis Msaken from 2 to 3 lanes both ways
between Hammamet and Hergla.
- A study on the circular way in Greater Tunis linking the highways across 80 km (the project
is estimated to cost 400 mTND).

- A study on the fixed linkage at the entry into Bizerte to replace the mobile bridge.
- Modernising the road network to facilitate the flow of traffic such as the national
route connecting Elfahs to Seliana and the regional route connecting Nabel to
Kelibia.
2. Supporting sanitation networks and increasing connection rates
The government launched several projects to support the sanitation network in cities,
increase the connection rates, establish a set of new purification stations and improve used
water treatment at other stations in addition to sanitation of popular neighbourhoods.
Below is an overview of the most important projects and their progress status until late
2013:

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- Completion of work on the purification stations at Jerba, Ajim, Ejrissa and Moknassi
and progress at the stations of Seres, Bou Erada, Attar 1 and Menzel Temim
- Launching the installation of the purification station at Mornaguia.
- Starting the improvement and extension of two purification stations in Nabeul and
Bouzelfa.
- Completing the sanitation of 11 popular neighbourhoods and continuing with
another 45.
- Completing the sanitation of the regions of Ouled Kacem and Ouled Yeneg at the
island of Kerkennah in addition to the system of redirecting used water in the cities
of Ras Jebal, Rafraf and El-Alia towards the purification station of Ousseja, alongside
the expansion of the secondary network at Sidi Hassine.
- Continuing the improvement and extension of purification stations at a number of
cities across 13 governorates.
- Launching the project of redirecting used water in Northern Tunis and the external
linkage with the sanitation networks for the industrial zones in Fajja in Mannouba
governorate, in Hammam Maarouf in Sousse, in Monastir. in El-Hamma, Gabes.
- Expansion of the sanitation network at Metline, Sounine and Rafraf Beach.
3. Protecting cities against floods
Strengthening the protection of cities against floods is considered one of the most
important concerns within the basic infrastructure programme in Tunisia given the
necessity of preventing the dangerous repercussions of floods on human and natural
resources and the countrys infrastructure.
The government advanced several projects on protecting cities against floods included:
- Continuing the execution of 18 projects to protect 19 cities against floods (Rdayef,
Tbarsok, Gabes, Nabel, Weslatiya, Ghar Dimaou, Matouia, Gafsa, Maztouria, Tozer,

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Dguech, the techno-park at El-Feja and Bizerte, Tataouine, Douar Hicher, Boumhel,
Fouchena and Ain Drahem), collectively costing 42 million TND.
- Initiating 13 new projects to protect 15 cities from floods (Hammamet, Nabeul,
Bouhjar, Kef, Mouhamdia, Fouchena, Oued Mliz, Sfax, Sidi Bouzid, Hammam Lif and
El-Fahs), costing 21 million TND.
- Initiating the project of protecting the region of western Tunis from floods(Mnihla,
the neighbourhoods of Intileka, Tadhamoun, Ibn Sina, Ksar Said, Bardo, Eddenden
and the neighboruhoods surrounding Essijoumi Lake), costing 100 million TND.
4. Collection of water resources
The government adopted a plan for improving the collection of water resources including:
- Completing the construction of 203 hill dams.
- Launching a study for the installation of 50 additional hill dams.
- Continuing works on 4 major dams in Bizerte.
- Starting an additional plan that includes 11 major dams allowing the storage of 491
million m
3
per year at an estimated cost of 685 million TND.
5. Developing the network of drinking water
In this field, the government launched a programme to improve the availability of drinking
water and reduce vast inequalities between regions. This programme achieved:
- Improved access to drinking water, reaching 95% in 2013 as compared with 93.4%
in 2012.
- New drinking water centres in districts of the north-western and the central
governorates to improve access to drinking water in regions that are still lagging
behind the national average.

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- Increased spending per individual from 700 dinars to 1,500 dinars to improve the
availability of drinking water in regions with difficult access to water, mainly located
in the western northern governorates.
The diagram below shows the evolution of public investments dedicated to improving the
drinking water network:

6. Development of irrigated areas
The government launched a programme to develop new irrigated zones and develop
existing ones, including:
- Launching 5 new projects across 500 Hectares in the governorates of Jendouba,
Mahdia, Sfax and Gabes.
- Completing the preparation and modernisation of a set of irrigated areas in the
governorates of Mannouba, Beja, Sfax and Gebili.
- Launching a project to modernise irrigated areas in the lower basin of the river of
Mejerda across 2,812 hectares at a cost of 24.4 million TND, and at Sidi Thabet
across 3,200 hectares at a cost of 40 million TND.

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- Conducting a pilot project aiming to improve the performance of irrigated areas in
the north.
- Restoration of the Aroussia canal costing 12.5 million TND.
- Project of integrated management of water resources at Mornag covering 6,800
hectares at a cost of 45.5 million TND.
Below is a diagram that shows the evolution of public investments to create and utilise
irrigated areas (in million dinars):

7. Development of industrial infrastructure
In 2012, 26 industrial zones were completed covering a total surface area of 863 hectares,
out of which 14 industrial zones (covering 292 hectares) were created at priority zones of
regional development, and 12 industrial zones in coastal regions.
In 2013, a national programme was also put in place to accommodate 101 industrial areas
across 3,065 hectares.
8. Electricity Production Support

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The government approved an exceptional programme to support the production of
electricity and strengthen electricity networks in order to secure provision and cope with
significant increase in demand and to prevent outage. The power production station at Bir
Mcherga was completed in record time (8 months), achieving production of 256 Megawatts
and costing 240 million TND.
9. Health Sector
The government completed a qualitative and quantitative review of the health map in
Tunisia and adopted a plan for a number of new hospitals and faculties on the basis of the
review. The government increased the overall health budget by approximately 33% to fill
the gaps and support basic structures with modern equipment and facilities and adequate
human resources.
In order to ensure sustainable policies and involve all stakeholders, the government
launched a social dialogue conceding health strategies, policies and programmes.
The government focused on developing public health infrastructure during 2012 and 2013
in addition to conducting development projects and purchasing state-of-the-art medical
equipment and tools to modernise the health sector, including:
Restoration of ER departments and reinforcement of the health transportation
fleet.
Provision of vital heavy equipment in all regions, especially in priority regions.
Table of equipment purchases 2008 - 2012
Subject
Cost (in mTND)
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Delivered equipment 13.5 18.11 22.27 15 45
Delivered emergency and
administrative vehicles
0.132 2.6 2 0.8 5.3

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Total 13.632 20.71 24.27 15.8 50.3



Improving the infrastructure of health facilities

The government invested hugely in the improvement of health facility infrastructure, given
the dire conditions of many of them. The table below presents data related to development
projects in the health sector, which shows a significant increase in the number of projects
and expenditure between 2011-2013:
Fiscal
year
New Projects
Cost of continued
projects (mTND)
Total
Cost
Number cost (mTND)
2007 4 7.7 0.5 8.2
2008 52 38.9 2.2 41.1
2009 55 27.9 1.6 29.5
2010 54 34.3 1.6 35.9
2011 119 62.3 6.7 69
2012 original: 109 68.75 10.2 78.9

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supplemental: 149 158.83 22.5 181.33
2013 114 72.15 10.85 83




10. Mega Projects
A new Higher Commission for Mega Projects was established as a transparent institutional
framework to examine important projects. It approved a number of important projects
such as the health city at Khbeyet in Gabes governorate, the project of Tunis International
Knowledge City at Raoued in Ariana governorate, the project of aviation transitional
storage at Tozeur airport Nafta and the project to launch a competitiveness centre for
yacht maintenance at Tabarka in Jendouba governorate.
Early estimates point to a total cost of 3.4 billion TND for these projects, most of which are
foreign investments which would eventually directly create more than 20,000 jobs.
Social level

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Social spending reached about 60% of the state budget and 25% of GDP, all allocated for
the implementation of programmes and projects in the areas of health, education, training,
employment, social welfare and public services. This illustrates the governments will to
achieve fair, inclusive and supportive social policies and to provide the suitable conditions
for Tunisians to live in dignity. This was among the key demands and aspirations of the
revolution, particularly the need for employment and combating exclusion and
marginalisation. Such conditions are essential for any citizen to enjoy real freedom and
dignity, and access to their rights.
In this context, the government placed a major focus on a number of social policies, namely
in the fields of job seekers integration into the labour market, the development of better
professional relations, the improvement of working conditions and prevention of
occupational hazards, and the support of low-income and special needs groups.
Amongst the many social measures taken by the government, below are a selection:
1. Salary Increases:
- People with an annual income below 5,000 dinars were exempted from taxes
imposed on individuals, which helped this category to save the equivalent of nearly
one salary per year.
- The government increased the minimum wage in various sectors. The agricultural
minimum wage was increased by 5.5%, as well as increasing the allocation for
transportation by 6.112 dinars per month for the beneficiaries of the minimum wage
in all sectors.
- The government raised the agricultural minimum wage gradually to equal the
minimum wage in all sectors, to reduce inequalities.
- The government approved a 70-dinar salary increase to public sector employees, to
be paid in 2 instalments (in 2012 and 2013).
- A 6% increase was approved in sectors that are subject to common agreements.

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The government introduced a 6% salary increase for employees in public bodies,
covering 134 public institutions employing more than 120,000 public servants.
2. The social pact
In order to provide a clear and solid institutional framework for social dialogue
between the government and professional representative bodies, the government
signed the Social Pact with the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) and the Tunisian
Union for Industry, Commerce and Handicraft (UTICA) on 14 January 2013. This treaty
contains a set of principles and guidelines that seek to achieve a healthy social and
working environment that takes into consideration the interests of all stakeholders and
lays the foundations for fair, inclusive and sustainable development.
3. Fighting poverty and supporting social development and solidarity
programmes
Social housing programme
The year 2012 was characterised by the launch of the governments social housing
project that aimed to provide 30,000 social houses within a period of 3 years.
This government project combines key economic and social dimensions and has 2
components:
a) The first one consists in the removal of old dilapidated and primitive houses and
replacing them with new ones or restoring and extending them (10,000 houses at first).
A list of a total of 8,642 beneficiaries in 24 governorates was approved.
Construction works were launched to build 4,000 houses in 22 governorates and 500
had already been delivered to their owners by the end of 2013.
b) The second component consists in providing low-income families with 20,000 social
houses at subsidised prices.
Construction began with the building of 1,000 houses, distributed as follows:

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-
800 apartments in the city of Omar Almokhtar Essijoumi

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139 houses in Tborba

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32 houses in Tborsok

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48 houses in Tela

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47 houses in Krib

The government instructed the public real estate developers to build a further 2,000
houses spread across the entire country. Additionally, a bid was prepared for the
construction of 4,000 houses across all the governorates with works set to start in
2014.
The approved allocations for the first part of the project reached 600 million TND while
the total cost of the project is estimated at 1.5 billion TND.
This picture shows an example of the conditions of the housing before and after:

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Restoration and integration of popular neighbourhoods:
The government approved a programme in 2012 to restore and integrate residential
neighbourhoods in popular regions, encompassing 119 districts spread across all 24
governorates and housing 685,000 inhabitants. The programme will be
implemented between 2012 and 2016 at a total cost of 435 million TND.
The programme seeks to improve various urban and social conditions such as
supporting infrastructure, providing collective equipment and facilities, improving
the state of housing and developing economic, cultural and social activities within
neighbourhoods.

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Before and after picture:




Helping Deprived and Vulnerable Communities
In this context, the government increased the number of grants allocated directly to
needy families since 2012 by 50,000 grants in addition to granting them health
coverage. The total number of beneficiaries reached 235,000 families. The grant
itself was increased by 43% and families with 3 children of schooling age or more
were granted an additional 130 dinars monthly. These families also received grants
during Ramadan, the beginning of the school year and at Eid Al-Adha, all periods of
increased spending for many families.
In 2012, the government increased the allowance to the elderly by 43% and the
number of grantees was doubled from 4,500 to 10,000 individuals.


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Additionally, a new targeted programme to promote small business creation in
internal regions was adopted in the context of projects funded by development
associations, at a total cost of 180 million TND.










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Together, we preserve what we have
accomplished
Together, we complete what we started