Tunis — Under the 2013 State budget, the subsidy regime will be more targeted in favour of greater support for the poorest strata of the population and a reduction in the value of subsidies benefiting rich classes, said Interim Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali.

The budget will also provide for pursuing the infrastructure development policy and further boosting regional development, Mr. Jebali told the media Monday as he submitted the draft State budget and the Finance Bill for 2013 to Speaker of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) Mustapha Ben Jaafar. "Job creation remains the most important issue," he added.

Acting Finance Minister Slim Besbes had indicated last week that 23 thousand persons would be hired in the public service in 2013.

The State budget for 2013 submitted to the NCA is estimated at 26 billion 792 million dinars, set on the basis of a reference price of a barrel of oil at 110 dollars and an exchange rate of one dollar at 1.580 dinar.

The Finance, Planning and Development Commission of the NCA will examine the draft state budget and the Finance Bill for 2013 before submitting them for discussion at a plenary session.