Tunisia attracted $ 550 million of investments in 1999

Tunisian minister of international cooperation and foreign investments Fathi Merdasi said here on Tuesday that his country has attracted in 1999 nearly $ 550 million in foreign investments, an increase of 25% in comparison with 1998.

He added that economic growth was enhanced and inflation and foreign loans were controlled in 1999.

According to the Tunisian official, investments in the oil sector had jumped from $ 202 to 240 million in 1998 while foreign investments in the industry and agricultural services had also climbed by 67 percent last year compared to 1998. They jumped from $ 149 to 250 million.

The Tunisian government would carry on the privatization program this year.