Tunisia Says Talks with IMF Positive, Committed to Paying Debts

A vendor offers rose petals to produce rose water traditionally in Nabeul, south of Tunis, Tunisa, 07 May 2022. (EPA)
A vendor offers rose petals to produce rose water traditionally in Nabeul, south of Tunis, Tunisa, 07 May 2022. (EPA)
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Tunisia Says Talks with IMF Positive, Committed to Paying Debts

A vendor offers rose petals to produce rose water traditionally in Nabeul, south of Tunis, Tunisa, 07 May 2022. (EPA)
A vendor offers rose petals to produce rose water traditionally in Nabeul, south of Tunis, Tunisa, 07 May 2022. (EPA)

Tunisian Finance Minister Sihen Boughiri said on Wednesday that initial talks with the International Monetary Fund were positive and that Tunis was committed to paying all its foreign debts.

Tunisia, in the throes of a severe financial crisis, is seeking to reach a new loan deal with the IMF in exchange for what would be unpopular reforms that include lifting subsidies and freezing wages.

Boughiri also said that Tunisia would repay 3.5 billion dinars ($1.14 billion) in foreign debt this month.



Saudi Arabia: Over 16% Growth in Mortgage Financing for Housing Support Beneficiaries in 2024

The Real Estate Development Fund’s pavilion at the Future of Real Estate Forum 2023 in Riyadh. (Real Estate Development Fund)
The Real Estate Development Fund’s pavilion at the Future of Real Estate Forum 2023 in Riyadh. (Real Estate Development Fund)
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Saudi Arabia: Over 16% Growth in Mortgage Financing for Housing Support Beneficiaries in 2024

The Real Estate Development Fund’s pavilion at the Future of Real Estate Forum 2023 in Riyadh. (Real Estate Development Fund)
The Real Estate Development Fund’s pavilion at the Future of Real Estate Forum 2023 in Riyadh. (Real Estate Development Fund)

The Saudi Real Estate Development Fund (REDF) announced on Monday a 16.4% increase in mortgage financing for beneficiaries of housing support programs in 2024, with total financing reaching SAR 62.9 billion ($16.7 billion). This marks a significant rise compared to SAR 54 billion ($14.4 billion) in 2023.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), December 2024 saw a notable 44% increase in the value of mortgage financing, reaching SAR 9.4 billion ($2.5 billion), compared to SAR 6.5 billion ($1.73 billion) in December 2023. This represents a growth of SAR 2.85 billion ($760 million). Additionally, the number of financing contracts surged by 52% during the same period.

Mansour bin Madi, CEO of the REDF, stated that the total financing in 2024 supported 89,000 financing contracts, compared to 74,000 in 2023—an increase of 15,000 contracts, or 20%.

Bin Madi highlighted that the REDF, in collaboration with the housing ecosystem and strategic partnerships with financing entities and real estate development sectors, is working to enhance homeownership opportunities by offering suitable housing products in the real estate market.

The self-construction product accounted for 14% of the total mortgage financing for beneficiaries of housing support programs. Meanwhile, under-construction housing units comprised 29%, and ready-to-move-in housing units made up 57%.

Bin Madi noted that December 2024 recorded the highest volume of mortgage financing for the year, with SAR 9.38 billion ($2.5 billion), financing approximately 12,340 contracts.

He reaffirmed the REDF’s commitment to strengthening its role in the mortgage financing market by providing diverse housing and financing solutions.

These efforts aim to meet beneficiaries’ preferences, facilitate easier homeownership for “Sakani” program beneficiaries, and align with Saudi Arabia’s Housing Program, he underlined. The program seeks to raise the homeownership rate among citizens to 70% by 2030.