The Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP) on Thursday started discussing the 2024 Finance Bill (PLF) article by article. Last Wednesday, MPs had began the general debate on the 2024 finance bill, in the presence of Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri Nemssia, considering on this occasion that the said bill had not been formulated according to a participatory approach and does not meet the aspirations of Tunisian citizens. The 2024 Finance Bill includes some 43 tax and financing measures. The bill, prepared by the government, aims to continue the programme of major reforms in order to re-establish budgetary balance "through the consecration of tax justice, combating tax evasion, rationalising tax benefits and directing them towards promising sectors such as investment in alternative energy, the green, blue and circular economy." In order to achieve these objectives, the PLF 2024 foresees the launch of a TND 20 million funding line to support economic empowerment projects benefiting vulnerable and low-inc ome social strata, and the establishment of two credit lines, each worth TND 10 million, to grant medium- and long-term repayable loans to SMEs. It also includes measures to spur economic activity and restore investor confidence by improving the investment climate, fostering inclusive and sustainable development, supporting financial inclusion, financially restructuring small and medium-sized enterprises, encouraging savings and boosting investment. The 2024 PLF also provides for enshrining the social role of the State, ensuring the supply of basic products to the market, supporting the agricultural sector, establishing alternative mechanisms for financing subsidy expenditure, combating tax evasion and integrating the parallel sector. Other measures are also worthy of note, notably those aimed primarily at encouraging the use of alternative and renewable energy sources. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse