In search of new supporters to boost its economic recovery, Tunisia has multiplied strategic interviews in Washington. On the occasion of the annual spring assemblies of the World Bank and IMF group, the Minister of Economy and Planning, Samir Abdelhafidh, met several senior international financial officials to consolidate cooperation and accelerate the financing of priority projects.
During a meeting with Ousmane Dione, vice-president of the World Bank for the Middle East region and North Africa, Samir Abdelhafidh pleaded in favor of a diversification of the areas of cooperation. The discussions focused on the importance of quickly realizing common projects and strengthening financial support in strategic sectors.
The Tunisian Minister has taken the opportunity to present recent developments in the national economic situation, marked by a gradual recovery: increase in the growth rate, slowdown in inflation, reduction in current deficit and significant improvement in tax revenue.
In the same time, Abdelhafidh spoke with Matteo Patrone, vice-president of the European Bank for reconstruction and development (BERD). Together, they evaluated the progress of the projects funded by the BERD and laid the foundations for a new framework for cooperation for the period 2025-2030, intended to consolidate the bilateral partnership.
The minister also met Abdelhak Bejaoui, executive director representing Tunisia within the World Bank, which reaffirmed the will of the institution to support the integral and sustainable development programs led by Tunisia.
Recall that within the framework of the annual spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, the Minister of Economy and Planning, took part on Wednesday in a meeting of the Advisory Group of African countries, in the presence of the President of the World Bank, Mr. Ajay Banga.
This meeting was devoted to the examination of certain development issues on the continent, such as those related to energy, infrastructure, employment and the private sector, as well as to the role of the World Bank in helping their resolution.
The Minister also participated in a seminar on social protection in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, where he presented the positive results carried out by Tunisia in this area, in particular through the implementation of mechanisms and programs such as the Social Security program.
During his intervention, Mr. Samir Abdelhafidh spoke about the various recently adopted measures, in particular those concerning the protection of workers dismissed for economic reasons and the creation of a social protection fund specifically intended for agricultural workers. He underlined the Tunisian state’s commitment to strengthen its social role in all the programs and policies it implements.
On the sidelines of meetings, Mr. Samir Abdelhafidh met Ms. Kirsty Damkjaer, executive vice-director of the United Nations Bureau for Project Support Services (UNOPS).
