The Tunisian National Institute of Statistics revealed that the annual inflation rate rose to 7.3 percent in February from 7.1 percent in January.
According to the institute, the devaluation of the local currency (the Tunisian dinar) against the major currencies (the dollar and the euro) and the record trade deficit was estimated at 19 billion Tunisian dinars at the end of last year (about 6.3 billion dollars), led by hard-earned phosphate, was one of the reasons for the increase in inflation and the consequent negative impact on the standard of living and the purchasing power of most social groups in Tunisia.
The Tunisian Central Bank decided at the end of last month to raise the interest rate by 100 basis points from 6.75 to 7.75 percent, which left a serious political and social debate about the impact of the increase on bank loans enjoyed by the Tunisian families.
Source (Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Edited)
