Tunisia’s GDP posted an increase of 2.7% in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the same period of 2012, according to figures from the INS released Thursday in Tunis.
Sectors that grew are mainly transport and telecommunications by 3.5% and 9.5%, respectively, in spite of the downturn of the hotel and restaurant sector.
This increase is attributed to the manufacturing sector which rose by 2.1% mainly due to the 8.6% increase in food industries and the recovery of the production sector in the mechanical, electrical, textile and clothing and leather industries.
The water sector has also contributed to GDP growth, posting a growth of 6.2% due to increased demand on irrigation water.
Non-market services also recorded an increase of 6.5%.
In contrast, non-manufacturing industries declined by 0.2% due to lower production in the mining sector (-19.3%), the oil refinery sector (-1%) and phosphate mining and natural gas (-1.2%).
