World Bank Expects Tunisia’s Economic Growth to Rebound 3.5% in 2022

 People queue to receives their coronavirus vaccines at El-Menzah Stadium which was turned into a vaccination center in the Tunisian capital Tunis on August 3, 2021. (AFP)
People queue to receives their coronavirus vaccines at El-Menzah Stadium which was turned into a vaccination center in the Tunisian capital Tunis on August 3, 2021. (AFP)
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World Bank Expects Tunisia’s Economic Growth to Rebound 3.5% in 2022

 People queue to receives their coronavirus vaccines at El-Menzah Stadium which was turned into a vaccination center in the Tunisian capital Tunis on August 3, 2021. (AFP)
People queue to receives their coronavirus vaccines at El-Menzah Stadium which was turned into a vaccination center in the Tunisian capital Tunis on August 3, 2021. (AFP)

Tunisia’s economic growth should rebound to 3.5 percent in 2022 and decelerate to 3.3 percent in 2023 compared to 2.9 percent in 2021, according to the latest Global Economic Prospects published by the World Bank.

A surge in COVID-19 cases and political uncertainty throttled the rebound in 2021, the document said.

Economist Jannat bin Abdullah said the economy is affected by the oil prices in the global market. This, in its turn, impacts the trade deficit of the economy.

The Ministry of Finance based the 2021 budget on the reference price of $45, but this figure was proven unrealistic. The country tentatively expected this year’s barrel price to be $75.

Some experts expect the oil prices to exceed this number, and this would negatively affect the economy, said bin Abdullah.



Oman's Asyad Group Plans to Sell at Least 20% of Shipping Unit Via IPO

Asyad Group plans to sell shares in its shipping subsidiary through an initial public offering. Photo: Oman News Agency
Asyad Group plans to sell shares in its shipping subsidiary through an initial public offering. Photo: Oman News Agency
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Oman's Asyad Group Plans to Sell at Least 20% of Shipping Unit Via IPO

Asyad Group plans to sell shares in its shipping subsidiary through an initial public offering. Photo: Oman News Agency
Asyad Group plans to sell shares in its shipping subsidiary through an initial public offering. Photo: Oman News Agency

Oman's state-owned logistics firm Asyad Group plans to sell shares in its shipping subsidiary through an initial public offering, it said on Wednesday, as part of the country's privatization drive.

The group, owned by Oman's sovereign wealth fund, plans to sell a stake of at least 20% in Asyad Shipping Co and float it on the Muscat stock exchange, it said in document detailing its intention to float.

"The intended listing would provide investors with the opportunity to invest in one of the world's largest diversified maritime shipping companies and a key player in the Omani economy," the company said.

Asyad Shipping focuses on transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil and other products. It lists energy firms BP and Shell as well as trading firm Trafigura among its customers and partners.

The offering will be made in two tranches, with 75% made to eligible investors in Oman and qualified institutional and other foreign investors. Of the 75% tranche, 30% of shares have been earmarked for anchor investors, the firm said.

The remaining 25% will be sold to retail investors in Oman.

The subscription period is expected to start next month, after the company has received regulatory approval.

Asyad Shipping plans to pay dividends semi-annually, beginning in September 2025 for the first six months of this year.

Oman Investment Bank, EFG Hermes, JP Morgan and Jefferies are acting as joint global coordinators. Sohar International is acting as joint global coordinator and as issue manager.
Credit Agricole and Societe Generale are joint bookrunners.