On the sidelines of the Bank of Tunisia’s Ordinary General Assembly (BT) held on Tuesday, April 28, Tunisie Numérique interviewed Hichem Rebai, the bank’s director-general, about the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) circular concerning the financing conditions for importing non-priority products.
Hichem Rebai indicated that companies must have liquidity to be able to import raw materials or semi-finished products.
“We have somewhat complicated the lives of these companies. This circular, which obliges importers to constitute, on their own funds, deposits covering the entire value of the envisaged imports, will reduce the level of operations at the international level. On the other hand, it will contribute to easing the trade deficit, which has reached a high level. We need to rationalize and relativize in a context marked by the rise in oil prices,” explains the Bank of Tunisia’s director-general.
He added that a level of net foreign currency assets equivalent to 105 days of imports is acceptable, notably thanks to remittances from Tunisians abroad and tourist revenues. Hichem Rebai did not fail to emphasize that 2026 looks favorable for the agricultural season.
Regarding the impact of this circular on banks, Hichem Rebai indicated that they will continue to support companies with the means at their disposal. However, this measure will also have an impact on the banks’ international flows.
