IMF\'s Lagarde pays first visit to Tunisia

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Christine Lagarde The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Christine Lagarde started on Wednesday her two-day visit to Tunisia, where she will meet a number of high-ranking government officials. \"This is to be Lagarde\'s first visit to the region [as Managing Director of the IMF],\" the IMF spokesperson stated.
Lagarde is scheduled to attend a press conference with Mustapha Kamel Nabeli - the Governor of the Central Bank.  According to a press release of the Tunisian Central Bank, the press conference will be held on Thursday, February 2, at the Salon d\'Honneur at the Tunis-Carthage airport.
The visit coincides with uncertain economic times, burdened by social and political instability. The financial crisis in the Eurozone, the devaluation of the Tunisian Dinar, and the ongoing civil unrest have contributed to the -1.85 per cent economic growth for 2011. Tunisia\'s debts currently accounts for 43 per cent of its national GDP.
According to sources, Lagarde will head to Saudi Arabia between February 3 and 4 to request a contribution from the oil-rich kingdom for the IMF\'s $500 billion fundraising effort to fight the European debt crisis.