Tunisia expects its economy to grow 4.5 per cent in 2013, compared with 3.5 per cent expected this year, and to reduce the budget deficit to 5.9 per cent, the Tunisian Finance Minister said on Monday.

"Tunisia is looking to limit the budget deficit of the state over the next year to 5.9 percent compared with an expected 6.6 percent this year," Salim Besbes told the state news agency.

"The government plans to achieve a growth rate of 4.5 per cent in 2013," he added. -Reuters