Brussels, 23/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - Tunisia is to receive support of €110 million to help rebuild its economy through two EU approved financial assistance programmes. The granting of this funding was announced by the European Commission on 23 August and is part of the additional aid being provided by the EU to post-revolution Tunisia.
The first programme, which has a budget of €90 million, supports the economic recovery measures recently adopted by the Tunisian government and is aimed at hitherto particularly disadvantaged social groups - the inland regions, unemployed graduates, the poorest families, better governance and job creation. It provides for action to improve the efficiency and transparency of public procurement, to make development of micro-finance more widespread and sustainable throughout the country, and to guarantee access to administrative documents for all citizens - all measures which contribute to reinforcing the economic and political transition, but also lay the groundwork for new and more transparent management methods.
“The economic recovery support programme demonstrates the European Commission's support for the recovery measures taken by the Tunisian government and its confidence in the future potential of the Tunisian economy. The Commission is determined to support the efforts of the authorities rapidly to restore stronger growth in order to promote job creation, improve social conditions for the most disadvantaged Tunisians and reduce disparities between regions”, said Štefan Füle, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy.
The second programme has a budget of €20 million for national modernisation policies in the services sector to increase the dynamism and competitiveness of the Tunisian economy. It seeks to strengthen the institutional capacities of the intermediary organisations, improve the capacity of Tunisian businesses to develop exports that can compete internationally and improve the sector's business environment by better defining its needs.
The Commission says that it is currently drawing up a new support programme for less-favoured areas, a decision on which will be taken in the near future. (A.N./transl.rt)