Tunisia-Tunisia and France sign two deals to convert debts into investment projects to promote higher education

A €10 million (about 31 million dinars) financing agreement was approved between the Ministry of Development, Investment and International Cooperation and the French Development Agency (AFD) for a large-scale programme to renew the Higher Institutes of Technological Studies (ISET).
According to a press release issued by the Development Department, this latest funding is part of a money conversion deal for fresh projects and a mutual partnership programme to perform the national strategy to modernise the ISETs to assist them to develop the quality of education, satisfy the requirements of the labour market and increase the governance and efficiency of these institutes.
The agreement was signed by Minister of Development, Investment and International Cooperation Slim Azzabi and AFD Director Gilles Chausse, in the presence of French ambassador to Tunisia Olivier Poivre d’Arvor and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Slim Choura.
Another deal was signed on this opportunity to finance the training and professional integration programme worth €9 million (the equivalent of 28 million dinars), to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as part of combating the effects of COVID-19, notably to ensure the sustainability of activities and preserve jobs.