Tunis, Tunisia – (African Boulevard News) – The economic situation in Tunisia has been a matter of concern for policymakers in recent years. However, the country has received support from Washington in the form of necessary IMF aid to get back on track. On Monday, the head of US diplomacy Antony Blinken called on Tunisia to accept an IMF reform plan to overcome economic hardships and avoid possible collapse.
The North African country has been struggling with severe debt, high unemployment rates, and an influx of migrants from Libya, turning to international lenders such as the IMF for assistance. Tunisia has been in talks with the IMF since 2020 to secure a $4 billion loan to help overcome the economic crisis.
Blinken’s statement comes after weeks of protests led to the removal of the government of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, who was accused of mismanaging the country’s economy and mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic. In his message, Blinken urged the new government to embrace the IMF program and take necessary measures to stabilize the economy.
“The United States strongly supports the IMF’s efforts to help Tunisia face its economic challenges and stabilize its economy through the adoption of critical reforms,” Blinken said in a statement. “We call on all parties in Tunisia to work constructively and without delay to form a government that can implement these vital reforms.”
Tunisia’s economy has been in decline since the ousting of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, and the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the country’s economic woes. The IMF program is expected to support Tunisia’s reform agenda, including measures to tackle its debt problem, boost economic growth, and improve social welfare.
Experts have hailed Washington’s support for Tunisia as a significant step towards stabilizing the country’s economy and avoiding a possible collapse. “The IMF program is essential for Tunisia to avoid bankruptcy and to achieve economic growth and social stability,” said Ezzedine Saidane, a Tunisian economist.
Tunisia’s economy has long been dependent on tourism, which has been severely affected by the pandemic. The IMF program is expected to provide the country with a much-needed boost to create jobs, reduce poverty and improve living standards.
In conclusion, Washington’s backing of IMF aid to Tunisia is an essential step towards stabilizing the country’s economy and avoiding a possible collapse. The IMF program is expected to help the country tackle its debt problem, boost economic growth, and improve its social welfare.
