Tunisia’s need for external funding will double to about 5 billion euros this year from about 2.5 billion euros previously expected due to the impact of the new coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh told France24 TV on Tuesday.
Tunisia began easing restrictions on movement and businesses this month, allowing half of the government employees to return to work, but the pandemic is hitting its tourism sector which provides approximately 10% of gross domestic product.
Authorities expect the economy to shrink by 4.3% this year, which would be its steepest contraction in more than 60 years.
Tunisia has so far recorded 1,032 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and 45 deaths.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $745 million emergency assistance loan in April to support Tunisia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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