TUNIS, 04 October 2021, (TON): Tunisia's crisis-stricken economy will be a top priority for the new government of prime minister-designate Najla Bouden, after a decade of political instability that has stymied foreign investment.

Heavily in debt, with spiralling inflation and widespread unemployment worsened by the coronavirus pandemic, Tunisia is hoping for a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund.

But talks have been suspended since President Kais Saied on July 25 sacked the government, suspended parliament and seized a range of executive powers, later moving to rule by decree.

He charged Bouden, a political unknown with a background in geology, with forming a new administration.

Economist and former trade minister Mohsen Hassan said "the incoming government must quickly relaunch negotiations with the IMF in order to obtain funding.”

"Unfortunately Tunisia is paying the price of political instability and the coronavirus crisis, as well as the political class's ignorance of economics."

The Tunisian economy has grown by as little as 0.6 percent on average over the past decade, with inflation averaging six percent.