On February 18, an IMF (International monetary Fund) delegation will be visiting Tunis to initiate negotiations with Tunisian authorities concerning a new aid scheme for a minimum funding of $1.7 billion, governor of Tunisia’s Central Bank, Chedly Ayari announced on February 13. These talks should focus on the implementation of a new program for economic reforms in return for international aid.

In June 2013, IMF approved the awarding to Tunisia of a 2-years credit line of $1.7 billion in the framework of a confirmation agreement to support the political transition. This line which was to expire in June was prolonged to December 2015 so as to allow the country to implement the economic reforms previously requested in exchange for the aid. For this first aid scheme, Tunisia committed to adopting various reforms such as easing foreign-exchange regulations, proceeding to the reform of banking sector and keeping the budget deficit under control.

Though it has completed its political transition, Tunisia, who now experiences political and security issues resulting from the fall of President Ben Ali in January 2011, struggles to revive its economy. This situation worsened last year with the Bardo and Sousse terrorist attacks where 60 died and that severely impacted the country’s tourism industry.