Qatar to grant Tunisia $2bn credit line

Qatar will grant Tunisia, in June, a credit line of $2 billion, Riadh Chaïbi, advisor to the Speaker of the Tunisian Parliament, Rached Ghannouchi announced as Tunisia’s Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi is currently undertaking a three-day state visit to the Gulf country.

Mechichi, during a meeting with his host, Qatari Premier Sheikh Khaled bIn Khalifa bin Abdelaziz Al-Thani, called for more diversified Qatari investments in the North African country, Webdo Tunis reports.

The Gulf country is by far the leading foreign investor in Tunisia.

Mechichi’s visit comes amid economic hardship that has gripped Tunisia as result of the impact of the ongoing global pandemic. Tunisia’s economy has taken the brunt of the pandemic. The country is in talks with the World Bank for a credit line to help revive the economy.

 

Riadh Chaïbi, commenting on the trip, said Doha will provide to Tunisia in June $2 billion in the form of credit line and deposits in the Tunisian Central Bank.

The Gulf country will also finance the purchase by Tunisia of 2 million doses of covid-19 vaccines to help it fight the pandemic.

Qatar is keen to double to 50,000 job contracts delivered to Tunisians to work in the Gulf country.

 

Ghannouchi’s advisor also announced that Doha will host an international conference on investment in Tunisia that will enable Tunis to raise $25 billion over five years.