Category: business

The Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) has reduced its key interest rate for the first time in five months, even as interbank lending rates held firm, according to its latest monetary data. In a move signaling a shift in policy direction, the BCT’s Executive Board lowered the benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 7.0% during its December 30 meeting. This was the board’s first-rate decision since July. The cut comes against a backdrop of notable steadiness in the money market. The average Money Market Rate (MMR) remained unchanged…

Tunisia is on track to surpass Italy and Greece to become the world’s second-largest olive oil producer this season, according to a report by the Financial Times, providing a critical injection of foreign currency for its heavily indebted economy. Industry figures and analysts cited by the FT attribute the expected record harvest to favorable rainfall and high global prices that have incentivized production. Vito Martielli, senior grains and oilseeds analyst at Rabobank, forecasts Tunisia will produce 380,000 to 400,000 tonnes of oil in the 2025-26 season, up from an estimated…

Saudi Arabia has cemented its position as a top-ten investor in Tunisia, according to data revealed by Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh. The announcement was made during the Tunisian-Saudi Business Forum held in Riyadh on Tuesday. Minister Abdelhafidh highlighted the depth of the economic partnership, noting that nearly 500 Saudi-owned or joint-venture companies are currently operational in Tunisia. Investment momentum continues, with seven of these firms expanding their activities in the first nine months of 2025. The financial ties are significant, with Saudi investment flows surpassing $375 million…

The Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) announced a significant cut to its main interest rate on Tuesday. The bank’s Executive Board lowered the key rate by 50 basis points to 7%, effective January 7, 2026. The decision, detailed in an official statement, aligns with a broader monetary easing strategy. The rates for the 24-hour lending and deposit facilities will be adjusted to 8% and 6%, respectively. The Board also reduced the minimum interest rate on savings to 6%. The rate cut comes against a backdrop of cooling economic growth. Data…

 A major bilateral summit concluded with a significant push towards economic integration, as Saudi Arabia and Tunisia sealed five new agreements across key sectors following the 12th session of their Joint Committee. The newly signed accords target enhanced cooperation in customs administration, mining, postal services, and media. Specifically, they include a customs cooperation and mutual assistance agreement, memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on mineral resources and postal services, a broadcasting cooperation MoU, and an executive program for news exchange between the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP). The…

Tunisia’s external finances showed signs of resilience in late 2025, with debt servicing costs falling significantly and key sources of foreign currency recording growth, according to the latest Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) indicators published Friday. The data, covering the period up to December 20, reveals a 13.8% year-on-year drop in cumulative external debt service, which fell to 12 billion dinars from 14 billion dinars in 2024. The decline points to a relative easing of one major constraint on the country’s external accounts. The improvement was bolstered by stronger inflows…

 Saudi Arabia and Tunisia moved to strengthen their economic partnership during high-level talks on Sunday, focusing on strategic sectors and removing barriers to trade and investment. The meeting between Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef and visiting Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh centered on expanding joint cooperation. Both sides identified key industries with potential for significant growth, though specific sectors were not immediately detailed. A major focus of the discussions was tackling practical challenges faced by exporters and investors between the two…