Former Minister Mohsen Hassan

The former Tunisian Minister of Trade, Mohsen Hassan, stressed that talking about the economic and financial situation is difficult and dangerous, warning from its negative implications, especially after the decline in the Tunisian external debt with one point, according to Fitch Ratings agency, with a stable prospects.

Hassan revealed, in an exclusive interview with Arabs Today, that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) report has limited the decline danger, and as it is well known, the IMF reports are adopted primarily as a source of the important decisions, whether from the world's major financial institutions, or large investors around the world.

"Head of the IMF mission, stressed the flexibility of the national economy compared to similar economies and predicted its growth 2.5% percent in 2017, stressing that it was possible to achieve more reforms in Tunisia, if there had been proper conditions for that, including the stability of governments," Hassan said.

"The head of the Mission has focused also on the need to continue reforms in three areas that are important in Tunisia, the civil service, social funds and public institutions, and warned of the key challenges for Tunisia, including the achievement of financial balances in the country," Hassan added.

There will be important meetings between the government and IMF, and it is believed that IMF will cash the second installment of the agreed loan, after the series of meetings, the former minister stated.

The former minister concluded that all this optimism can not deny the economic difficulties caused by the decline in the growth rate to puzzling levels, in addition to disruptions in financial balances embodied in the deficit in the trade balance.

He stressed that what is required of Tunisians to improve the economic situation is recruiting everyone to rescue the economy, and government is required to accelerate in completing its projects, and go ahead without hesitation in the economic and social reforms.