EBRD Vice President visits Tunisia, will speak at major Tunisian conference

The Vice President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Alain Pilloux, will be in Tunis from 28 November to 2 December for an official visit to Tunisia during which he will participate in the International Conference Tunisia 2020 in support of the country’s economic, social and sustainable development.

Leading a delegation that includes Hildegard Gacek, EBRD Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED); Marie-Alexandra Veilleux, EBRD Head of Office in Tunisia; Adil Chikhi, Director for Industry, Commerce and Agribusiness in SEMED; and Nandita Parshad, Director for Power and Energy Utilities, Mr Pilloux will deliver a keynote speech on Tuesday 29 November at the opening of the conference.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Vice President will sign two EBRD-funded projects and two technical cooperation programmes supported by the European Union.

During his visit, he will meet Prime Minister Youssef Chahed; Minister of Investment, Development and International Cooperation and EBRD Governor, Fadhel Abdelkefi; Minister of Energy and Mines, Hela Cheikhrouhou; and Minister of Finance, Lamia Boujnah Zribi.

In addition the Vice President will meet the Governor of the central bank, Chedly Ayari, as well as the Vice Governor Mohamed Rekik and also the President of the industry and trade association, UTICA, Ouided Bouchamaoui and Tunisian General Labour Union UGTT Houcine Abassi. In addition he will hold meetings with the business community and EBRD clients.

Ahead of the visit, Mr Pilloux said: “This visit demonstrates our continued support for the Tunisian economy and transition. I look forward to discussing how we can work together to carry on delivering real progress in Tunisia and – in particular – the EBRD’s role in driving forward the private sector.”

The EBRD has been investing in Tunisia since 2012 and has funded more than 25 projects in the private sector for a total of over €350 million. The Bank has also supported more than 300 Tunisian small and medium-sized enterprises by providing business advisory.