Remittances from Tunisian expatriates have continued to grow steadily, giving the country an opportunity to boost its hard currency reserves at a time when strategic sectors are stagnant as a result of the turmoil of the Ukraine war, the health crisis and mismanagement of the economic crisis.
Data published by the Central Bank showed an increase in remittances of workers abroad by 17% during the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, to record 1.73 billion dinars (582 million dollars).
Remittances remained at the top of the sectors that provided hard currency for Tunisia, as tourism, a vital and important sector, achieved only 545 million dinars ($183.4 million) from 368 million dinars ($123.8 million) on an annual basis.
Expatriate funds, which rose by a record 28 percent last year on an annual basis to reach 7.2 billion dinars ($2.6 billion), topped the list of income-generating sectors. Remittances amounted to 5.9 billion dinars (about two billion dollars) in 2020.
Expatriates play an important role in stimulating the Tunisian economy, which was clearly revealed by the pandemic by reviving the empty state coffers by pumping hard currency despite all the challenges. According to official statistics, the number of expatriates is about 1.4 million Tunisians, most of whom reside in France, followed by Italy, Germany and the countries of the Arab Gulf.
The source (Al-Arab Newspaper of London, Edited)
