Samir Majoul, President of the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade, and Handicrafts (UTICA), called during his meeting with a World Bank delegation for the establishment of a foreign currency financing line aimed at supporting the internationalization of Tunisian companies and strengthening their presence abroad, reports Express FM.
The two sides reviewed the benefits gained by Tunisian companies from the $120 million financing line granted by the World Bank in 2023, intended to fund the project “Support for Small and Medium Enterprises to Revive the Economy,” as well as ways to ensure the project’s effectiveness and maximize its benefits for the national economy.
During the meeting, held recently at the UTICA headquarters, the parties also discussed the challenges faced by SMEs and ways to support them, enhance their innovation capacity, and keep pace with technological developments.
According to a statement released by UTICA, the importance of financing and investment promotion was also addressed to ensure the continuity and growth of these vital companies within the national economic fabric, as well as the ability of Tunisian firms to adapt to the carbon tax implementation and prepare the industry for the requirements of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
UTICA representatives reaffirmed Tunisia’s commitment to a low-carbon economy, continued investment in the green economy, and achieving energy sovereignty, while noting that imposing new restrictions on Tunisian exports could harm the economic fabric and reduce the competitiveness of domestic companies.
They emphasized the importance of strengthening the partnership between UTICA and the World Bank to support SMEs and contribute to developing effective strategies for sustainable economic recovery in Tunisia.
