Tunisia is experiencing an economic recovery after the deep recession of 2011, in the wake of the revolution, but is weakened by political and security uncertainties as well as by the crisis in Europe Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia Mustapha Kamel Nabli told AFP Tuesday.
I think once security is strengthened and the stabilization of social and political climate prevails, this will encourage investors, said the governor.
He nevertheless noted that with a growth of 4.8% in first quarter 2012 compared to the same period last year, Tunisia can still reach its target of a GDP up 3.5% on the years.
Effort must be focused on security stabilization, reduction of social conflict and clarification of the political agenda, insists the governor whose dismissal is pending.
This situation is symptomatic of political uncertainty, no clear explanation having been given on this dismissal and the decision of the National Constituent Assembly to approve or disapprove the decision announced in late June by President Moncef Marzouki continues to lag.
On the subject, the governor noted that the debate on his dismissal shows that democracy is operating in Tunisia, but regrets the lack of clarity that entails, especially his view that there is no obvious reason to convince foreign observers.
Another problem for the Tunisian economy is the weight of the debt crisis in the European Union, its largest trading partner, he said.
The economic situation in Europe began to affect us significantly. Since March, we began to feel the effects on manufacturing exports, Nabli specified.
He pointed, in particular, to a decrease of 5 to 6% in the exports of textiles and clothes and reduced growth of exports of manufactured products (3-4%).
Tunisia had experienced a recession in 2011, with a 1.8% decline in GDP and the economic recovery is vital for the country, unemployment, particularly among young people, having been one of the key factors of the revolution.
