Tunisia says it needs direct funding from cbank to pay urgent foreign debts

Central bank governor Marouan Abassi told a parliament committee that repaying a loan worth 850 million euros will lead to a decline in currency reserves within 14 import days and will have an impact on the exchange rate. The government requested exceptional direct funding from the central bank worth 7 billion dinars ($2.25 billion) to fill a deficit in this year's budget, given the scarcity of external finance, three lawmakers told Reuters on Tuesday.

The Tunisian government has resorted to requesting direct financing from the central bank to pay urgent foreign debts, including bonds worth 850 million euros ($920 million) that mature on Feb. 16, Finance Minister Sihem Boughdiri said. Central bank governor Marouan Abassi told a parliament committee that repaying a loan worth 850 million euros will lead to a decline in currency reserves within 14 import days and will have an impact on the exchange rate.

The government requested exceptional direct funding from the central bank worth 7 billion dinars ($2.25 billion) to fill a deficit in this year's budget, given the scarcity of external finance, three lawmakers told Reuters on Tuesday. ($1 = 0.9240 euros)