1. Licensing and Registering a Business in
Tunisia

2. This worksheet is based on a workshop led by Mohamed Soula, who discussed
the importance of taxation in Tunisia and how to set up a business.

3. TOPICS
1- THE IMPORTANCE OF TAXATION
2- LAUNCHING A PROJECT

4. 1- THE IMPORTANCE OF TAXATION
• It is critical for entrepreneurs to understand the tax system before they begin
the registration process to understand the advantages offered by tax law.
• Paying taxes is a lever for economic growth and the development of projects.
• Becoming tax identified makes it possible to get a loan for a company or
project and receive support from public institutions (which is especially
important for young entrepreneurs).

5. • Licensing and registering a project has become easier through the creation a
one-stop shop at the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and innovation
(API).
• Here, there are places to declare an intention to invest and to produce the
constitution of a new, legal business.
• If all paperwork is in order and all documents are filled out properly, it is
possible to create a business in 24 hours.
2- LAUNCHING A PROJECT

6. 2- LAUNCHING A PROJECT
• To set up an individual company, the following steps are needed:
1- Declaration that a company exists and a tax identification card
2- Enrollment in the trade registry

7. 2- LAUNCHING A PROJECT
• To set up a limited company or unipersonal limited company:
1- Registration of statutes
2- Declaration of existing business and tax identification card
3- Submission to court clerk
4- Publication in the Official Journal of the Tunisian Republic (JORT)
5- Enrollment in the Trade Registry

8. For more information, please visit the API website:
• http://www.tunisieindustrie.nat.tn/en/doc.asp?mcat=13&mrub=96
• http://www.tunisieindustrie.nat.tn/en/doc.asp?mcat=13&mrub=99&msrub=1
84&dev=true