France reinforces financial support for Tunisia as Macron visits

France said on Wednesday that it would provide Tunisia with more than 272 million euros ($338 million) in new financing as it seeks to bolster the North African nation’s democratic transition. The support includes 177 million euros in loans, 50 million euros in aid, 30 million euros in debt relief and a 15 million euro credit line, and was announced during a visit to Tunis by French President Emmanuel Macron. France had already pledged to provide Tunisia with 1.2 billion euros in aid from 2016-2020, a commitment that Macron reaffirmed…

Tunisia, France sign eight co-operation agreements

Eight co-operation agreements were signed by Tunisia and France at a ceremony held Wednesday evening at the Carthage Palace, under the chairmanship of President Beji Caïd Essebsi and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, TAP reports. The agreements signed by the ministers and officials of both countries cover the fields of defence, security, justice, education, higher education, scientific research, vocational training, culture, economic development and entrepreneurship in the public sector, TAP said. Here is the list of agreements: – An amendment to the agreement on the conversion of debt into development…

2nd edition of Olive Tree Festival in Sfax : new prospects in Brazilian market

The city of Sfax (Tunisia) hosted Sunday the 2nd edition of the Olive Tree Festival  on the theme: “Olive tree, light and roots,” with a rich programme that includes  development, entertainment and tourism activities. The festival was marked by the participation of several cultural association and structures, civil society components, several travel agencies, tourism investors and foreign visitors in addition to the Tunisian Export Promotion Centre (CEPEX). The festival includes a scientific symposium that brought together local, European, Brazilian and US experts, as well as representatives of the International Olive…

PEACEapp workshop: Video games created by young migrants and refugees to boost intercultural dialogue

Thirty young migrants and refugees from ten countries have been trained to create video games though the MIT Media Lab gaming platform SCRATCH. This training is part of a three-day workshop on the theme “PEACEapp”, held from 28 to 30 January at the National Centre for Information for Children (CNIPE), at the initiative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), in partnership with NGO Association ADO+ and the Red Crescent Tunisian Association, TAP reports. This meeting aims in particular to boost intercultural dialogue and to offer young migrants and…

Omar Guiga, manufacturer of Tunisian car “Wallyscar” winner of IMF Innovation Contest

Young Tunisian Omar Guiga, who designed and manufactured the Tunisian car “Wallyscar”, is one of the winners of the Arab Youth Campaign on Innovation Contest organised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and that has targeted young people between the ages of 18 and 35 from the Middle East / North Africa region, TAP report. The young manufacturer told TAP his factory, located in El Kabaria (south of the capital Tunis), manufactures each year 200 cars that are exported to the French, Portuguese and Spanish markets, besides the Caribbean islands,…