09/11/2017 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 8 November, the European Investment Bank (EIB) announced it would lend €120 million to Tunisia's Banque de l’Habitat to strengthen the access of Tunisian companies to bank finance. The credit is expected to support over 250 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and over 1,600 jobs, according to an EIB press release. This is the EIB's first financing for a Tunisian public bank since 2012. The credit will be centred on the financing of projects in information and communication technology, health, the pharmaceutical industry, education, cultural activities, the agri-food industry and the energy transition. Attention will also be paid to exports and new external markets. In November 2016, the EIB committed to supporting the transformation of Tunisia for a maximum of €2.5 billion until 2020. (CG)