The Tunisian government has resorted to requesting direct financing from the central bank to pay urgent foreign debts, including bonds worth 850 million euros ($920 million) that mature on Feb. 16, Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri said.
Central bank governor Marouan Abassi told a parliament committee that repaying a loan worth 850 million euros will lead to a decline in currency reserves within 14 import days and will have an impact on the exchange rate.
The government requested exceptional direct funding from the central bank worth 7 billion dinars ($2.25 billion) to fill a deficit in this year’s budget, given the scarcity of external finance, three lawmakers told Reuters on Tuesday.
($1 = 0.9240 euros) (Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
