Tunisia's corruption reaches "epidemic" proportions - National Anti-Graft body

Corruption in Tunisia has reached “epidemic” proportions, the head of the national anti-graft body said on Tuesday, and urged the new government to eradicate the leeways of corruption”.

Chawki Tabib told journalists that corruption has adversely affected Tunisian economy.

“Some experts assessed the extent of corruption and poor governance at public procurement and public contracts. It amounted to two thousand billion Euros. It is too much for our economy,” said Tabib, the head of the national anti-graft body.

He called for strengthening the law, especially when it came to assets and conflicts of interest.

“In my view the legal way is not significant. I will explain to you. It is sufficient if one follows the law and do the right thing. But it will be insufficient if one just follows the text describing the law. In particular the Law on Declaration of heritage and on the conflict of interest.”

According to a recent study by Transparency International, more than two thirds of Tunisians believe that corruption has increased in their country in the past year.

Experts say state corruption under the dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali who was ousted after the Arab Spring of 2011 has now given way to petty corruption in all areas of daily life.