Tunisian Federation of Artisans and SMEs urges state to settle outstanding payments to prevent business failures

In a statement released on Monday, June 29, 2026, the federation highlighted that these delays are severely impacting the cash flow of SMEs, despite services being rendered and contractual procedures followed. The FTAPME warns that this situation could lead to an increase in bankruptcies, job losses, and a further weakening of the national economy. The federation notes that these delays are no longer mere administrative malfunctions but rather a breach of contractual commitments by public bodies, depriving businesses of necessary liquidity.

This compromises their ability to meet current obligations such as paying salaries, social contributions, taxes, and bank maturities. Unlike large corporations, SMEs often lack significant financial reserves to absorb such delays, making it difficult to finance their working capital, especially with limited access to bank credit. The FTAPME emphasizes that artisans and SMEs should not be forced to finance public companies while awaiting payment.

The federation considers it unacceptable for SMEs to bear the consequences of administrative delays or financial difficulties faced by public entities, especially when the state continues to demand strict adherence to fiscal, social, and regulatory obligations from them. To address this critical