Tunisia: Future economic reforms need sacrifices

Tunisia is on the verge of difficult economic reforms while require sacrifices to be made by the Tunisian people as the state “is locked in a fateful war against terrorism”, the ruling coalition said yesterday.

Parliament speaker Mohammed Nasser called on the Tunisian people to “make great sacrifices”, adding that the government is going to carry out economic reforms, without clarifying their nature.

The Tunisian government is scheduled to ratify next week a supplementary draft general budget for the year 2015 before being passed to parliament for final approval.

The International Monetary Fund gave Tunisia until the end of this year to meet its commitments and carry out economic reforms mainly in the banking sector, taxation and support.

Nasser said the unity government supports the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act which calls for the lifting of restrictions imposed on some businessmen following corruption claims under the former regime.

Meanwhile, the head of the Ennahda party Rachid Ghannouchi said Tunisia is locked in a battle against what he called the “evil gangs and terrorism”. He called on all national forces and the Tunisian people to support police and military efforts in the war on terrorism.

“We are in a war that targets our economy, national unity and the image of Islam,” Ghannouchi said, stressing that Tunisia needs international support in its war on terror, and should coordinate with its neighbours and avoid unnecessary confrontations with them.