Italy grants Tunisia €50 million to cushion Coronavirus ripple effects

Italy Wednesday announced disbursement of €50 million to help Tunisia support local companies and address social economic impacts of the COVID-19.

The financial aid was announced following this week telephone call between President Kais Saied and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella. Saied proposed to send health workers to the European country, which is the worst affected by the pandemic around the world.

However, Italy’s envoy to Tunisia, Lorenzo Fanara, told a local radio station that the credit to be disbursed by Savings bank for deposits and loans is not linked to discussion between the two leaders.

Italy recorded 74,386 COVID-19 cases and over 7,500 deaths, while Tunisia reported 173 confirmed cases and six deaths.

This week, the Tunisian Finance Ministry announced $400 million in form of assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help combat the pandemic. The aid will be disbursed in the next two to three weeks.