Prime Minister presents draft state budget for 2009 to parliament
Tunis, November 22, 2008- On behalf of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Prime Minister, Mr Mohamed Ghannouchi presented on Saturday to the Chamber of Representatives the draft state budget for 2009.
He stressed the importance of the year 2009 insofar as it represents the final year for the implementation of the presidential program, “For Tomorrow’s Tunisia”. He also stressed that 2009 will be marked by important political events, including in the first place, the presidential elections, a new step in the anchoring of the democratic, pluralist process in Tunisia, he said.
Mr Ghannouchi added that following a streak of major reforms in all sectors of activity, Tunisia has managed to improve its economy, in spite of a difficult international economic situation. In 2009 the country will achieve a 5,1% growth rate, which he termed “satisfying”; he also added that investment progressed to reach 17, 3% and that the budget deficit has stabilized around 3% of the GNP. 77,000 additional jobs are expected to be created during the coming year, he said.
Public spending will reach 17,106 million dinars, he said marking an increase of some 12, 2% with the 2008 finance bill.
The Prime Minister said that maintaining a growth rate of about 5% for the second year in a row, testifies to the country’s vigilance and reactivity, in facing the latest economic and financial crisis.
He also noted that the WEF 2008-2009 competitiveness report ranked Tunisia 36 th the in the world among 134 nations, as well as first in Africa and in the Maghreb, adding that one of the country’s objectives was to become an international financial hub soon.
