IMF calls on Tunisia to take decisive action to strengthen public finances and address rising inflation and falling reserves

Executive Board members of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged the Tunisian authorities to strengthen “their commitment to the economic reform programme and take urgent and decisive action to put public finances on a more sustainable path, address rising inflation and falling reserves, and ensure macroeconomic stability.” In a statement released by the Fund Tuesday, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV Consultation with Tunisia and advised the authorities to press ahead with fiscal consolidation. “To increase investment and social expenditure, adjustment efforts should…

A lingering scene

“Beb Bhar” was in full swing, as always is. Many were on the move, tending to their businesses or so methought; others were strolling about; still some other tourists were standing in reverence, looking at the stupendous “Beb,” taking some snapshots and she was there in the midst of all that hustle, with her back against an about-30-centimeter- street post, her legs thinly covered and her head bent down while stretching her wrinkled and feeble hand. Her frail face was downward most of the time oblivious to the passers-by. She…

‘Kerkennah 01’ festival of photography and digital arts

Tunisia’s Kerhennah islands will host Kerkennah 01, the first festival in the north African country devoted to photography, video and digital arts. The festival, to be held on June 21-27, aims to “encourage the emergence of a photographic scene involving Tunisian artists by opting to abandon the traditional channels. Kerkennah 01 also aims to become a platform for exchange, development and introduction to photography in north Africa and to create infrastructure for the local population, sensitising public opinion and politicians to the cultural, tourist, economic and educational potential of the…

EBRD supports international trade in Tunisia

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is supporting Tunisia’s expansion of international and intra-regional trade by providing a US$ 20 million trade facility to Banque de Tunisie under the EBRD’s Trade Facilitation Programme. According to EBRD, the trade finance line will allow Banque de Tunisie to issue guarantees in favour of international commercial banks covering the commercial payment risk of the transactions undertaken by Banque de Tunisie. EBRD Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region, Janet Heckman, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Banque de Tunisie…

Tunisia to resume flights to Libya “very soon”

Tunisia will resume flights to neighbouring Libya “very soon”,  Foreign Minister Khemais Jhinaoui said Monday, during a meeting with Libya’s UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj in the Libyan capital Tripoli. The two officials discussed means to facilitate bilateral trade between their countries and joint border management, according to a statement of the foreign Ministry. “The Tunisian minister reiterated his country’s support for the Government of National Accord, stressing Tunisia’s will to restore economic relations and activate the legal frameworks for trade transactions between the two countries,” the statement reads. “Jhinaoui stressed…