TUNIS - Tunisian President Kais Saied on Saturday suggested raising taxes on richer people could be an alternative to socially painful reforms as a means to secure an international financial rescue package. Credit ratings agencies have warned that Tunisia faces a possible default on sovereign debt without the loan, which is also expected to unlock more bilateral financing. Although the IMF deal reached in October was based on proposals made by Tunisia's government, Saied has described the fiscal reforms it contained as "diktats". Saied also proposed a summit meeting on the issue of illegal migration across the Mediterranean. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will visit Tunisia next week, Tunisian state media reported on Friday.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 04, 2023 06:02 UTC