Announcement of Tunisia to Receive World Bank Assistance for Project Preparation on September 23, 1982

. . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE . eWorldBank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A.• Telephone: (202) 477-1234 BANK NEWS RELEASE NO. 83/8 Contact: Ciro Gamarra September 23, 1982 ( 202) 47 7-8034 TUNISIA TO RECEIVE WORLD BANK ASSISTANCE FOR PROJECT PREPARATION A World Bank loan of $4.5 million to Tunisia will provide technical asststance in identifying and preparing investment projects, the World Bank announced today. This first technical assistance project in Tunisia will involve the c0untry's agriculture, industry, and energy sectors. A major objective of the $9 million project is to increase the number and improve the quality of investment projects suitable for external financing, both in the private and public sectors through the provision of consulting services and training. • The project is also expected to provide a sound basis for formulating policies in agriculture, industry, energy, and export promotion. The capabilities of the institutions involved in these sectors will be improved. To promote private enterprise, a review of the institutions concerned will be made,, assistance in the start-up of a new agricultural promotion agency provided, and appropriate policy measures developed for improving the effectiveness of existing institutions, such as the Investment Promotion Agency. The World Bank loan is for 17 years, including a grace period of four years, with interest at 11.6% per annum. The loan also carries an annual commitment charge of 0.75% on undisbursed balances and a front-end fee of 1.5% on the amount of the loan. NOTE: Money figures are expressed in U.S. dollar equivalents • •