Tunis, 16/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Friday in Tunis, the EIB (European Investment Bank) signed an agreement to set up the first ever privately managed seed-capital fund, “Phenicia Seed Fund”. Its capital fund resources of 10 million TND (+/- €6 million), 17% of which will be EIB controlled, will go to innovative Tunisian companies that have been set up over the last five years. Projects involving individuals or private firms, university departments, start-ups and science parks are eligible under this scheme. This seed-capital venture was developed as part of the Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP). It has been set up in collaboration with the Tunisian authorities and CDC Entreprises (Groupe Caisse des Dépôts). A company has also been set up to manage these funds, "Alternative Capital Partners". (fb)