Emir announces $1.25bn for Tunisia

Tunis: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said yesterday that Qatar has allocated $1.25bn as a contribution to support the Tunisian economy and promote its development drive.
Addressing the opening session of the International Conference in support of economic, social and sustainable development in Tunisia (Tunisia 2020), being held in the Presidential Hall, the Emir stressed the need to support the Tunisian experiment in "good governance and organisation of political life under pluralism.”

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi attended the session, along with a number of heads of states, senior officials, businessmen, investors and representatives of a number of Tunisian and international companies and institutions.

The Emir said , "At the outset I am pleased to extend my sincere thanks to His Excellency President Beji Caid Essebsi, the people and the Government of the sisterly Republic of Tunisia, for the hospitality, warm reception and remarkable organisation of this important conference, which is taking place with the aim to support Tunisia amid very delicate conditions and major political and economic challenges at the regional and international levels, which double the significance of convening this conference.”

The Emir said that the wide international participation in this conference reflected the status and respect enjoyed by Tunisia in the region and the world, and the extent of interest in its promising experiment, as well as the keenness to support and help it cope with the economic challenges, which could be decisive in determining the fate of this experiment.

“The success of the development programs in Tunisia is a goal in itself to achieve a better life for the brotherly people of Tunisia and secure success of their experiment in good governance and organisation of political life under pluralism. In addition, economic development leads to creating job opportunities for young people and that would contribute to solving the unemployment problem and preventing negative co-related phenomena, such as despair and extremism,” said the Emir.

The Emir said the Qatari support for Tunisia is increasing steadily and Qatar will continue to back Tunisia's efforts to achieve the desired development.

“We have people in Tunisia who decided to build their country on the basis of pluralism, human dignity and freedom, as well as on the basis of the common denominator between the political forces, i.e., the interests of Tunisia, away from tyranny. Are we going to help them to make their experiment a success or to stand idly by to watch them facing difficulties alone and to come later to look into the reasons for despair and frustration and their ensuing destructive results? The countries that decided to attend, have answered this question correctly and responsibly, and we commend them for that,” said the Emir.

The Emir said the conference was a paradigm of what should be done by the international community to lend a helping hand to make the promising experiments a success, instead of lobbying for consultation in the aftermath of disasters.

“We remind our friends, and friends of the Tunisian people in the world, that the best and safest way to confront extremism and violence is protection, because there is no guaranteed remedy when the phenomenon becomes widespread,” said the Emir.

“War on terrorism is required, necessary, and unavoidable, but it is not a cure, as proved by trial since the emergence of this phenomena and the ensuing practices,” he added.

The conference has brought together about 1000 delegates , 150 leaders and decision-makers including representatives of 70 countries, and 50 speakers.

Qatar is sponsoring the conference jointly with France, Canada, and Algeria and is participating with a big delegation consisting representatives of private sector, businessmen and media personalities.
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi in his opening address said that the people of Tunisia have much hope on this conference as it gives a strong message to all parties to open promising investment prospects and create real economic partnerships.

Many countries have announced plans to invest and support Tunisia to achieve its five-year development strategy 2015-2020.

Saudi Arabia said it will invest $800m, of which $100m is to support Qatari Diar company’s first luxury resort project in Tunisia – Antara Tozeyr Resort- which is expected to be operational in 2018. Work on the project started in 2013 with a $80m investment, said CEO of Qatari Diar Khalid Mohammed Al Sayed, on the sidelines of the conference.

The European Development Bank announced that it has a plan to invest 2.5 bn Euro in five years, while Kuwait announced a soft loan of $ 500m

Prime Minister of France Manuel Valls said that his country is going to invest 250 Euros every year and will change part of its loans into investment in development projects.

Numan Kurtulmu, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey announced a deposit of 100 min Euros at the Central Bank of Tunisia and said his country’s support to Tunisia during this transition period will continue.

“Tunisia is developing the necessary regulations that can attract investors to the country. Tunisia is a gateway to Europe and Africa which is a very positive matter for us as GCC investor s, “ Ali Al Musnid, member of board of directors of Qatar Chamber told The Peninsula on the sidelines of the conference.

Qatar’s private sector is in Tunisia to explore the upcoming investment opportunities and business models that Tunisia offers to investors, he added.

He said currently there are Qatari investments in Tunisia in areas of banking, tourism, real estate and some industries. There are more opportunities in energy, telecommunications and infrastructure
But to do this “we need serious Tunisian partners,” said Al Musnid . “We are looking forward to holding a meeting of Qatari –Tunisian Business Council which to find out the available investment opportunities in light of the conference outcome,” he added. Mohammed Frikha, a member of the Tunisian Parliament and director general of an IT company lauded the Qatari support, saying, “Tunisia has succeed in political transition and now it is looking for economic support, and Qatar is our major supporter and partner.”

Today the conference will discuss in three sessions issues related to industry, logistics services, green economy, sources of renewable energy, agriculture and food industries and management.