The Tunisian Minister of Economy, Samir Abdel Hafidh, recently participated in the annual meetings where he met with the President of the World Bank Group and discussed the main economic challenges facing the continent’s countries and their need for additional support. The minister also participated in a workshop organized by the World Bank on the “Financial Incentives Framework,” a new mechanism for middle-income countries to finance strategic projects, especially those related to global common challenges such as energy transition and enhancing the health sector. This reflects Tunisia’s desire to link its economic programs with global and sustainable reforms.
Analysts believe that Tunisia’s participation in the annual fall meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, which began in mid-month in Washington, represents a crucial opportunity for the country to present its vision for its new economic program and to highlight the reforms it has significantly progressed in. In an interview with “Sputnik,” economic expert Yassine Kouya emphasized that Tunisia’s participation in the World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings is an opportunity to confirm the success of the “self-reliance” policy that the country has adopted for some time. Kouya explained that this policy has contributed to reducing external borrowing, relying instead on borrowing from the Central Bank of Tunisia or on tax resources generated by local economic institutions.
He pointed out that the Tunisian economy grew by 3.2% during the second quarter of this year compared to the same quarter last year, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics. The expert noted that Tunisia’s participation in the annual fall meetings is also an opportunity to explore new solutions for external borrowing without being subject to the dictates and conditions of the International Monetary Fund. He confirmed that “Tunisia, in the absence of an agreement with the Fund, found itself forced to adopt a self-reliance policy, despite the challenges and risks associated with this strategy.”
It is noteworthy that negotiations between Tunisia and the International Monetary Fund over a loan of $1.9 billion have been stalled since the fall of 2022, due to Tunisia’s rejection of the reform plans proposed by the international financial institution. Economic expert Maher Belhaj stated to “Sputnik” that Tunisia’s participation in the annual fall meetings represents an opportunity to demonstrate the government’s commitment to economic reforms, contributing to achieving financial and economic stability. Belhaj pointed out that the government’s approach to Washington, accompanied by some positive economic indicators, will facilitate negotiations on technical support and financing programs, ensuring conditions compatible with the capabilities of the Tunisian economy and allowing for addressing public financial imbalances and future trade deficits.
According to the “World Economic Outlook” report by the International Monetary Fund, the Tunisian economy is expected to grow by approximately 2.5% in 2025 and 2.1% in 2026, while inflation is expected to reach 5.9% in 2025 and 6.1% in 2026, reflecting the challenges of the Tunisian economy in maintaining price stability and growth amid internal and external financial pressures.
Economic expert Abdelkader Boudriga, who participated in the annual fall meetings, confirmed that the meetings addressed many important reports, including a report on economic conditions as viewed by the International Monetary Fund, a report on the stability of international financial markets, and another on taxation and debts facing the Tunisian government. Boudriga explained in a statement to “Sputnik” that these meetings demonstrated the global economy’s ability to withstand and recover, especially after the measures taken by the U.S. administration, including imposing tariffs on some countries.
Boudriga affirmed that Tunisia, despite positive economic indicators, cannot isolate itself from global markets, as this could lead to additional economic difficulties and increased debt ratios, imposing the need to continue engaging in international economic dynamics and interacting with its global partners.
