Regional Syndical room of jeweler artisans in Tunis (UTICA) organizes today, Wednesday, March 5, 2014, a protest outside the headquarters of the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) and to the Ministry of Finance.

Jewelers demand to receive their monthly pure gold (200 grams) of the BCT and the recycling of broken gold, 1-300 grams, without having to go to the central laboratory for verification quality of gold. They also demanded the return billing and increased control markets teeming with gold falsified harmful to the artisan, the merchant, the consumer and the state.

Last claim: no longer make use of the machine punch (for the certification of jewelry) the authorization of "Dar Ettabaa," to hamper the activity of jewelers.

For its part, the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) called jewelers to be professional and realistic and to honor their commitments, and that, given the difficult economic situation facing the country, besides the difficulties the most sectors faces.

BCT recalls that agreements between the issuing institution and jewelers have simplified procedures for the purchase and sale of gold, set prices based on world prices and use the import if necessary.

These agreements , the statement of the BCT , also contributed to the increase in demand by jewelers gold during the months of December 2013 , January and February 2014 respectively reach 54 kg , 80 kg and 65 kg , compared to the period between 2010 and 2013 , during which the monthly requests ranged between 28 and 45 kg .

Given the impact of the import of gold on the balance of payments and foreign exchange reserves of the country, the Central Bank decided to set a maximum amount of gold around 40 grams , to be distributed monthly to benefit jewelers.

However, jewelers have expressed dissatisfaction with this measure, claiming to increase this share, and that, regardless of the quantities to be provided by the Ministry of Finance, if available, always after BCT. The cost of gold supplied to meet the needs of jewelers rose during the last three months, about 8.7 million dinars 5 million dinars, under import.

The selling price of gold jewelers cooperatives and is fixed on the basis of world prices for gold and the dollar against the dinar, has further informed the issuing institution. Adding that the BCT fixed monthly withdrawal times gold from cooperatives and jewelers from its headquarters and offices in Sousse and Sfax.

Leconomistemaghrebin