Tunisia could achieve a 3.5% growth rate in 2012.
20 February 2013
Read by 1444 persons
Tunisia could achieve a growth rate of 3.5% in 2012, estimated Mrs. Lamia Zribi, director general of forecasts at the Ministry of Regional Development and Planning.
In a statement to TAP, the official mentioned several factors supporting this rate. These are mainly a 2% increase in the industrial production index, the recovery of certain sectors such as tourism and transport, in addition to the revival of the agricultural sector, which recorded a growth rate of 4.1% for the second consecutive year.
In this context, Mrs. Zribi indicated that the Ministry of Agriculture is confident about this rate reaching 5% in 2012.
Regarding services, she stated that a growth rate of 4% is expected, based on the performance of the hotels, cafes and restaurants sectors. On the other hand, manufacturing industries should record a negative growth rate (-0.1%) in 2012, she added. This decline is due to the decrease in exports of mechanical and electronic industries and the textile sector, as well as the crisis in the Eurozone.
Addressing the country's growth drivers, Mrs. Zribi specified that growth is mainly driven by consumption, investment and exports.
Regarding consumption, the official indicated the possibility of achieving a growth rate of 4.5%, mainly due to planned recruitments in the public administration (23,000 jobs) and salary increases.
Regarding investment, she noted that planned public investments under the State budget should progress at an estimated rate of 73%, considering the delays in the implementation of many public projects.
Regarding financial balances, she emphasized that the current account deficit could reach 8.1%.
The official also indicated that the budget deficit could be contained between 4.9% and 5%, compared to annual forecasts of 6.6%.
TAP
Maghrebemergent.info
Published February 20, 2013.
Posted online February 20, 2013.
In a statement to TAP, the official mentioned several factors supporting this rate. These are mainly a 2% increase in the industrial production index, the recovery of certain sectors such as tourism and transport, in addition to the revival of the agricultural sector, which recorded a growth rate of 4.1% for the second consecutive year.
In this context, Mrs. Zribi indicated that the Ministry of Agriculture is confident about this rate reaching 5% in 2012.
Regarding services, she stated that a growth rate of 4% is expected, based on the performance of the hotels, cafes and restaurants sectors. On the other hand, manufacturing industries should record a negative growth rate (-0.1%) in 2012, she added. This decline is due to the decrease in exports of mechanical and electronic industries and the textile sector, as well as the crisis in the Eurozone.
Addressing the country's growth drivers, Mrs. Zribi specified that growth is mainly driven by consumption, investment and exports.
Regarding consumption, the official indicated the possibility of achieving a growth rate of 4.5%, mainly due to planned recruitments in the public administration (23,000 jobs) and salary increases.
Regarding investment, she noted that planned public investments under the State budget should progress at an estimated rate of 73%, considering the delays in the implementation of many public projects.
Regarding financial balances, she emphasized that the current account deficit could reach 8.1%.
The official also indicated that the budget deficit could be contained between 4.9% and 5%, compared to annual forecasts of 6.6%.
TAP
Maghrebemergent.info
Published February 20, 2013.
Posted online February 20, 2013.
