(Ecofin Agency) - Tunisia will ask for a new aid program for a minimum of USD 1.7 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with the economy of the country struggling to get back to form due to an unstable climate of social security, the Governor of the Tunisian Central Bank, Chedly Ayari, announced on 9th September.

"Yes, we are going to ask for a new plan", Mr. Ayari declared during a joint press conference with the Managing Director of IMF, Christine Lagarde, who is visiting Tunis.

The amount and terms and conditions of this aid plan have not been set yet but it should be at least similar to the credit line approved by IMF for Tunisia in 2013, equal to USD 1.7 billion.

"1.7, this is the lowest estimate and it could be higher, depending on the needs, possibilities and terms", Mr. Ayari clarified, indicating that negotiations with IMF should start in November to ensure the release of the first part in March 2016.

In June 2013, the IMF approved granting Tunisia a credit line of USD 1.7 billion over 2 years as part of a confirmation agreement aimed at supporting the political transition. This credit line, which should have expired in June, was extended by 7 months - until December 2015 - to allow the country to adopt the economic reforms requested in exchange for financial support from IMF.

Tunisia has not yet managed to revive its economy which was deeply affected by serious political strife and the rise of Jihadist movements since the fall of the Ben Ali regime in January 2011.

The situation was made even worse by the Bardo and Port El Kantaoui attacks in March and June, which resulted in the death of 60 people, 59 of them tourists. These attacks seriously struck the strategic sector of tourism.

According to the ministry of Finance, economic growth was stunted at 1% during the first half of the year, and could drop to 0.5% the whole of 2015.