TUNIS, Nov 22 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia keeps its 2009 budget deficit target unchanged at 3 percent of gross domestic product from the previous year, recommending more vigilance to overcome the challenges of the unsteady world economy, the country's prime minister said on Saturday.
"The draft state budget is set at 17.206 billion dinars, on the basis of keeping the budget deficit within the limit of 3 percent of the GDP," Mohamed Ghannouchi said while presenting the draft budget to parliament.
The estimate budget this year is put at 15.342 billion dinars.
"The next year's state budget is so important in view of the changes in the world economic crisis and its effects on the pace of growth, which requires to take all necessary measures to cope with the possible impacts of this crisis on the national development process," the premier noted.
"So, the priorities for next year will focus on increased competitiveness and investments and the promotion of relations of cooperation and partnership with brotherly and friendly states at both bilateral and multilateral levels," he added.
The government expects 5 percent growth in 2009 from an expected 5.1 percent.
Next year's inflation rate is expected to reduce to 3.5 percent from 5 percent in 2008.
"In order to fulfill the aims set, the efforts will focus on increasing the budget own resources which account for about 77 percent, by means notably of improving the collection of tax revenues and the extension of their base without resorting to new measures likely to increase the contributions of enterprises," Ghannouchi told parliament.
The government will allocate 1,650 million dinars to the Compensation Fund in addition to 650 million dinars to subsidize imported petroleum products, estimating world prices will average 90 U.S. dollars per barrel.
The country saw its annual average growth at 5 percent over the past decade. It targets to raise the figure at 6.1 percent over the next ten years on attracting more foreign cash and bolstering its sales abroad.
