The Central Bank of Tunisia has announced that Tunisian economy achieved a growth rate of 3.1% in 2009 compared with an average of 5% in recent years.

The bank said in a statement that in spite of the repercussions of the global financial crisis, particularly at the level of exports, the Tunisian economy managed to achieve a growth rate of 3.1%. This rate was attained due to the improvement in agricultural production and progress in service activities, 2 sectors that contributed to the domestic and foreign financial balance of the North African country.

The BCT added that the rate of inflation was held down to 3.7% last year compared with 5% in 2008, despite the appearance of certain tensions during recent months over the price of a few food products."

(Sourced from AFP)