IMF Responds Positively to Tunisia’s Request for Funding Program

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. (Reuters)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. (Reuters)
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IMF Responds Positively to Tunisia’s Request for Funding Program

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. (Reuters)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. (Reuters)

Tunisian authorities received a letter from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva that included the acknowledgment that Tunis will remain a reliable partner.

Tunisian government sources said that the IMF welcomed the reform package, which was discussed between the government and labor union.

They indicated that the program that the IMF will discuss must guarantee the stability of the Tunisian economy in the near future coupled with sustainable growth.

According to the correspondence, the fund stressed it is fundamental to tackle the problem of sustainability of public finances and debt, implementing ambitious reforms of public companies, salaries of the public administration and energy subsidies. It called for addressing the entrepreneurial climate, stability of the financial sector and financial inclusion, social protection and governance.

Tunisian economist, Mohsen Hassan believes the IMF would react positively to the government's demand to finance its economic program, which will not be affected by the political and economic crisis.

He stressed the possibility of agreeing on a new economic program that would enable the mobilization of the necessary financial resources to protect the country from bankruptcy and chaos.

On Sunday, the IMF stated that Tunisia formally requested a new financing program, lauding the efforts of the government’s talks with the Tunisian General Labor Union (UGTT) on subsidies, taxes and state institutions.

Georgieva said she would assign a delegation to conduct technical talks as soon as she receives more information about the reform program.

Tunisia’s economic program addresses six main issues: liberalization of the economy and an improvement of the entrepreneurial climate, improvement of the fiscal system, reform of the public function, the transformation of public companies and a program of investments to revive the economy.

Tunisia reported a budget deficit of TD18.5 billion, according to preliminary estimates, however, a number of economists believe it will increase to 21.5 billion this year.



Death Toll in Damascus Church Attack Rises to 25

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
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Death Toll in Damascus Church Attack Rises to 25

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)

The death toll from a suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus on Sunday has risen to 25, Syria's state news agency SANA reported on Monday citing the country's health ministry.

It was the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was toppled by opposition factions in December.

On Sunday, a suicide bomber in Syria opened fire then detonated an explosive vest inside a Greek Orthodox church filled with people praying, killing and wounding many.

The attack took place in Dweila on the outskirts of Damascus inside the Mar Elias Church, according to state media SANA.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.