The data released by the Tunisian Institute of Statistics (INS) showed that the foreign exchange reserves fell by 2.18 percent on an annual basis, until the end of November 9.
According to the institute's (governmental) data, the total foreign exchange reserves amounted to 20.8 billion dinars ($7.3 billion), down from 21.2 billion dinars ($7.5 billion) on an annual basis. The reserve covers the imports (the cost of the country's merchandise imports) for only 124 days, compared to 147 days of supply in the same period last year.
Tunisia is seeking financial support, whether internally or externally, to overcome its stifling financial crisis, as it resumed its negotiations with the International Monetary Fund lately, with the aim of obtaining a new loan. The trade deficit also increased by 23.5 percent on an annual basis, during the past ten months of this year, amounting to 13.3 billion dinars (4.7 billion dollars).
Nevertheless, the trade deficit rose from 10.7 billion dinars (3.8 billion dollars), in the corresponding period of last year. Tunisian exports improved by 20.9 percent on an annual basis, in the first ten months of 2021, reaching to 37.8 billion dinars ($13.3 billion). Likewise, the imports rose by 21.6 percent during the period, reaching 51.2 billion dinars (18 billion dollars).
Source (Anadolu Agency, Edited)
