Tunisia has fallen short of its Q1 economic target for 2019, according to economic adviser to the Tunisian government, Lufti Ben Sassi.
He based his comment on the latest report from the country’s statistical bureau that growth slowed by 1.1 per cent year-on-year.
A decline hinged on reduced agricultural output, low tourist patronage and decline in industrial production amongst others. In 2018, the growth rate was 2.7 per cent for Q1 and in Q4, 2.1 per cent was recorded.
Tunisia is still optimistic of meeting projected growth figures close to 3 per cent for 2019 compared to the 2.5 per cent of 2018. The government also intends to reduce budget deficit to 3.9 per cent in 2019 compared to 5 percent in 2018.
Since the 2011 Arab Spring led to the overthrow of former leader, Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia had recovered slowly. Major militant attacks in 2015 also contributed to the economy’s contraction.