Saudi fiscal policy, the IMF in Tunisia and Egypt

Saudi Arabia’s Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan provided hints in comments this week that the fiscal purse strings could soon be loosened if oil prices remain elevated. Elsewhere, officials in Tunisia and Egypt confirmed that talks with the IMF over new lending arrangements are due to get underway soon. Egypt is better placed to secure a deal (if it wants one), but the same cannot be said for Tunisia where President Saied’s growing unpopularity will make passing reforms even more difficult.