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, Italy Sign MoU to Strengthen Collaboration in Renewable Energy

The MoU focuses on key areas such as energy transitions and security, renewable energy and electricity interconnection. SPA
The MoU focuses on key areas such as energy transitions and security, renewable energy and electricity interconnection. SPA
TT

Saudi Arabia, Italy Sign MoU to Strengthen Collaboration in Renewable Energy

The MoU focuses on key areas such as energy transitions and security, renewable energy and electricity interconnection. SPA
The MoU focuses on key areas such as energy transitions and security, renewable energy and electricity interconnection. SPA

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has met in Riyadh with Italian Minister of Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin to explore avenues for cooperation across various energy sectors.

The two sides signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Italy, serving their shared interests.

The MoU focuses on key areas such as energy transitions and security, renewable energy, electricity interconnection, energy efficiency, geothermal energy, methane emissions reduction, advancing energy storage solutions, petroleum, natural gas, and conventional and transitional fuels.

It also addresses enhancing the stability and reliability of petroleum and natural-gas markets, reducing market volatility, and improving energy supply security and supply chains.
The agreement highlights innovation and technology, such as hydrogen project development, climate-change mitigation solutions, the circular carbon economy, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage. Additionally, it emphasizes digital transformation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence in the energy sector while fostering joint initiatives to support engineering and construction projects in energy. These efforts align with the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.