12 Apr 2021; MEMO: Tunisian Minister of Finance and Investment Ali Al-Kali announced that public debt has reached its highest level, amounting to 16 billion Tunisian dinars ($5.7 billion).
In a statement to Watania 1, Al-Kali said: "Tunisia's budget deficit is mainly related to paying back old loans, which prompted the government to borrow more funds to bridge the debts."
He stressed that "negotiations are underway with Tunisian banks and foreign countries to mobilise the necessary financial resources."
The minister added: "The current period will witness the conclusion of several discussions and talks," confirming that many successes will be achieved in the coming days and weeks.
These announcements come in the midst of a political crisis affecting Tunisia and hindering the work of the government, as the Tunisian President Kais Saied refused to approve the recent cabinet reshuffle, under various pretexts, while Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, who won the confidence of Parliament, believes that Saied is intentionally impeding the government.
