Tunisian Central Bank expresses concern over regional unrest

Central Bank of Tunisia expressing concerns over the impact of regional unrest on Tunisia’s economy has urged all parties to take appropriate steps to check these developments.
In a statement issued after the conclusion of its meeting the bank’s board of directors said the decline in industrial production rose 0.1% in April. The slump measures the annual contraction in production, particularly the energy sector.
Tourism sector has also declined in the month of June with the number of inbound tourists dropping around 3.3% and the rate of accommodation by 4.4%.
Revenues from tourism sector are directly affected by the regional security developments, the statement said and projected a growth rate of 2.8% this year and 3.5% in 2015.
The central bank has recently allowed a drop in dinar’s exchange rate with US dollar and the euro. The bank had intervened to keep its dinar steady over the last many months.
Analysts opine the currency depreciation has economic and political implications as the country heads to parliamentary elections in October and presidential elections in November.