Prime Minister and EBRD President Discuss Expansion of Cooperation Areas

Kasbah: Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri held a meeting on Thursday evening at the Government Palace with Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), along with her accompanying delegation. The meeting was attended by Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh and several senior officials from the Prime Ministry. According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, the Prime Minister expressed her appreciation for the EBRD's ongoing support for development programmes and projects in Tunisia, spanning both the public and private sectors. She highlighted Tunisia's desire to enhance current cooperation priorities with the Bank, aiming to create a new dynamic and broaden the scope of joint collaboration. The discussion emphasized the importance of supporting projects with feasible economic and social returns, particularly in infrastructure, energy, business climate improvement, and human capital enhancement. Strengthening social sectors was also noted as crucia l for achieving social justice. The Prime Minister reviewed Tunisia's social and economic policies, including the 2026-2030 development plan developed through a bottom-up, participatory approach. EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso acknowledged her visit as an opportunity to fortify the partnership's foundations, aligning with Tunisian national priorities and contributing to the 2026-2030 development plan. She praised the cooperation between Tunisia and the EBRD, reaffirming the Bank's commitment to expanding collaborative areas and supporting major projects like the Tunisia-Italy electricity interconnection and renewable energy initiatives. The Prime Minister concluded by underscoring Tunisia's aim to expand international partnerships based on mutual respect and shared interests, aligning with the President of the Republic's directives. She emphasized Tunisia's new approach to social and economic policy, which balances social justice and economic growth to build a strong, competitive national economy.