Tunisia’s energy deficit reaches 10.480 billion dinars
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Webdo
Tunisia’s energy trade deficit reached 10.480 billion dinars, around half of the overall trade deficit, while foreign exchange reserves covered 93 days of imports. Finance Minister Mechkat Salma Khaldi also said imports rose by 13.1%, compared with 8.6% for exports, during a parliamentary hearing on 29 October.
Tunisia’s energy trade deficit reached 10.480 billion dinars, around half of the overall trade deficit, Finance Minister Mechkat Salma Khaldi said on Thursday 29 October during a hearing on the implementation of the 2026 state budget. Foreign exchange reserves stood at 24.180 billion dinars on 23 October, covering 93 days of imports compared with 107 days a year earlier, according to data presented by the minister.
Tunisian imports rose by 13.1%, compared with 8.6% for exports. Tourism revenues increased by 3.7% and transfers from Tunisians living abroad by 4.4%, two sources of foreign currency that contribute to financing the external deficit, according to Mechkat Salma Khaldi. The minister also raised the risks posed by the geopolitical crisis in the Middle East to trade and energy prices.
The hearing brought together the finance and budget committees of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People and the National Council of Regions and Districts. Mechkat Salma Khaldi said economic indicators showed relative stability despite the risks Tunisia continues to face.
This development follows the publication on 23 October of a report stating that reserves covered 92 days of imports. It also comes amid the deterioration in the trade balance reported on 8 October, when Tunisia moved from a surplus to a deficit.
