The Minister of Economy and Planning, Samir Abdelhafidh, announced, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, an increase of 71.05 million dinars in the commitment credits allocated to the Regional Development Program within the framework of the State budget project for the year 2027. These credits should thus reach 543.55 million dinars, compared with 472.5 million dinars in 2026, allowing, according to the minister, to integrate a greater number of new projects into the program.
This announcement was made during a joint session held at Parliament, bringing together the Commission for Strategic Planning, Sustainable Development, Transport, Infrastructure and Spatial Planning of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People, as well as the Commission for Development Plans and Major Projects of the National Council of Regions and Districts.
Regional development: more funds to finance new projects
During the presentation of the State budget project for 2027, Samir Abdelhafidh specified that the increase in commitment credits allocated to the Regional Development Program falls within the framework of revising the legislative framework governing the regional councils.
This increase is intended in particular to broaden the possibilities for programming new development projects in the regions.
The program’s commitment credits would thus rise from 472.5 million dinars in 2026 to 543.55 million dinars in 2027, an increase of 71.05 million dinars.
Investment expenditures: an increase mainly related to budget reclassification
The minister also presented the evolution of investment expenditures planned for 2027.
These would amount to 301.563 million dinars in commitment credits and 101.563 million dinars in payment credits, compared with 2.580 million and 1.580 million dinars in 2026.
Samir Abdelhafidh explained that this evolution results mainly from a modification of the budgetary classification.
Indeed, a portion of the credits initially recorded under intervention spending was reclassified to investment spending, amounting to 300 million dinars in commitment credits and 100 million dinars in payment credits.
These amounts are intended to finance the Regional Development Programme.
This clarification is important because the sharp rise in investment expenditures shown between 2026 and 2027 essentially results from this budget reclassification and cannot, therefore, be interpreted on its own as an equivalent increase in overall financial resources.
Improvement of living conditions: credits reduced to 220.55 million dinars
Meanwhile, the 2027 budget project provides for a reduction in the payment credits devoted to the component dedicated to improving living conditions.
These credits should fall from 300 million dinars in 2026 to 220.55 million dinars in 2027.
According to the explanations provided, this adjustment takes into account the pace of credit consumption observed under this scheme.
This revision occurs in a context of reorganizing the budget allocations dedicated to regional development programs.
Construction sites: reduction of credits allocated to workers’ allowances
The budget project also provides for a decrease in the credits allocated for the allowances of workers on construction sites.
The corresponding envelope would drop from 150 million dinars in 2026 to 100 million dinars in 2027, a reduction of 50 million dinars.
According to the minister, this evolution accompanies the ongoing regularization of the professional status of the workers concerned, notably through their integration into the civil service.
The reduction of this envelope thus aligns with, according to official explanations, the continuation of implementing this regularization process.
International financial institutions: 18.3% decline in Tunisian contribution
On another front, Samir Abdelhafidh announced a reduction of the Tunisian state’s contribution to international financial institutions for 2027.
The planned credits should reach 56.225 million dinars, compared with 68.820 million dinars registered in the 2026 finance law.
This change represents a decrease of 12.595 million dinars, i.e., 18.3%.
According to the data presented during the examination of the budget project, this decline is mainly explained by the reduction in the number of payment installments scheduled for 2027, as well as by the reduction in the amount of an installment due to the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Tunisian contributions to international financial institutions thus vary from year to year depending on the payment schedule and the amounts due to each institution.
The presented data show that the 2027 budget project combines an increase in commitment credits devoted to the Regional Development Program, a reorganization of certain budget expenditures, and a reduction in amounts planned for several items, notably workers’ allowances on construction sites and contributions to international financial institutions.
