Tunisia's Minister of Economy and Planning, Samir Abdel Hafiz, held a meeting with Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye, the Regional Director for the Maghreb and Malta at the World Bank, who is currently on a working visit to Tunisia. The meeting was also attended by Ary Naim, the new Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa at the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The discussions focused on the progress of cooperation between Tunisia and the World Bank, as well as future programs and prospects.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both parties to review the current state of cooperation and explore ways to strengthen it in the coming phase. Abdel Hafiz highlighted the level of cooperation between Tunisia and the World Bank, expressing his hope that it would be enhanced in the future, particularly in vital areas such as water, energy, health, and social protection. He also emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation to include infrastructure development, given the significant projects included in the 2026-2030 development plan.
Abdel Hafiz stressed the need to promote cooperation with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), particularly in supporting the private sector and improving the business climate. For his part, Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye reaffirmed the World Bank's commitment to continuing its support for Tunisia in implementing its reform programs and development projects. He expressed willingness to expand areas of cooperation within the framework of the Qatar-Tunisia partnership program, which is expected to be launched soon.
Ndiaye praised the Tunisian economy's resilience in the face of external shocks and the challenging global economic environment. He noted that this resilience could pave the way for a gradual recovery. The new Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa at the IFC, Ary Naim, also expressed the institution's commitment to strengthening financial and technical cooperation with Tunisia, particularly in supporting the private sector.
Naim highlighted the importance of building on existing opportunities and promoting cooperation to improve the business climate and support the development of the private sector. The IFC is expected to continue its programs aimed at enhancing the business environment and promoting economic growth in Tunisia. The meeting between Abdel Hafiz and Ndiaye reflects the ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between Tunisia and the World Bank.
The discussions also touched on the preparation of the Qatar-Tunisia partnership program, which is expected to be launched soon. This program aims to support Tunisia's development priorities, as outlined in its 2026-2030 development plan. The World Bank and the IFC are committed to supporting Tunisia's efforts to implement its reform programs and achieve sustainable economic growth.
The meeting between Abdel Hafiz and Ndiaye demonstrates the strong partnership between Tunisia and the World Bank. Both parties expressed their commitment to continuing cooperation and exploring new opportunities for development. The World Bank's support for Tunisia's development priorities is expected to continue, with a focus on promoting economic growth, improving the business climate, and supporting the private sector.
Key points
- The World Bank and IFC are committed to supporting Tunisia's development priorities.
- The meeting discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in vital areas such as water, energy, health, and social protection.
- The Tunisian economy has shown resilience in the face of external shocks and challenging global economic conditions.
