The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a loan of EUR 180 million for the reduction of regional disparities in Tunisia.
This loan, which is the first phase of a programmatic budget support, is part of the Economic Recovery and Inclusive Development Support Program (PADRI). It will stimulate regional development in 16 priority governorates through the revival of investment, social inclusion and the promotion of local governance, said a statement from the AfDB.
The PADRI aims to contribute to the achievement of sustainable and inclusive growth through the reduction of regional disparities.
While supporting the structuring axes of the 2016-2021 Strategic Plan, the programme will include improving the attractiveness of priority governorates through the revival and implementation of public investment.
it will also help promote youth employability and provide access to investment resources in priority governorates. It will also seek to improve the living conditions of populations through the development of human capital.
Finally, it should lay the foundations of the institutional framework of local communities by providing them with adequate resources.
Sunita Pitamber, Acting Director of the Department of Human Development, in AfDB said “The programme will increase public investment from 64.4% (2011-2015) to 70% in the 16 priority governorates over the next five years.
It will also attract private investment and to improve implementation and social inclusion capacity in these areas. It will help to reduce the proportion of population living below the poverty line in 2015 from 1/6 to 1/10 in 2021.
The PADRI will also impact on 242,000 households that will benefit from the consolidated programme of social aid to disadvantaged families. Particular attention will be paid to women, youth and vulnerable groups such as the 13,000 higher education graduates (66% girls). “
By focusing on the 16 regions most lagging behind in the regional development index, PADRI adds value to the social and economic inclusion in those governorates and improves the quality of life of the most disadvantaged populations.
Relevant priority governorates are: Jendouba, Kasserine, Kairouan, Siliana, Sidi Bouzid, Kef, Tataouine, Beja, Gafsa, Medenine Mahdia, Gabes, Kebili, Zagouan, Tozeur and Bizerte.
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