Turkey, Tunisia sign agreement on development cooperation

TUNIS - Anatolia News Agency

Development Minister Yılmaz (R) and Rashid Ghannushi, the head of Ennahda party, pose during Yılmaz’s visit.

Turkey and Tunisia have signed a deal to promote development cooperation on a number of issues ranging from industry to agriculture. As part of the agreement, the Turkish government will extend a grant of $100 million to Tunisia and provide a loan of $400 million, Development Minister Cevdet Yılmaz said July 17.

The deal, which Yılmaz signed with Tunisian Regional Development and Planning Minister Jameleddine Gharbi, will involve cooperation on various issues including industry, social residences, dams, security, agriculture, the fight against poverty and support for investments.

‘Bad economic structure‘

Yılmaz told the Anatolia news agency that officials had been preparing the agreement since January. The Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TIKA) will follow up on the agreement so that the cooperation deal’s articles are implemented, the Turkish minister said. Gharbi said the most important factor preventing investments in Tunisia was the “bad economic structure.” The poor economic structure stemmed from corruption during the administration of ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Gharbi said.

“We need to work on laws and regulations so as to facilitate investments in Tunisia,” Gharbi said.