Privatization policy continues in Tunisia

A study conducted by the Tunisian Ministry of Economic Development found that one third of the businesses that were privatized have achieved investments value worth 100 million Tunisian dinars ($85 million). The study added that these businesses were able to provide 500 new job opportunities, and that the volume of their attributes increased by 65% after moving to the private sector.

The minister of economic development, Tawfik Bakar, told members of Tunisian Deputies' Council this week that the privatization policy will last till the implementation of the plan that was put in the eighties is completed.

The first stage of this plan includes the privatization of unprofitable public sector businesses. The second stage includes privatization of businesses of no national strategic value.

The European Union has contributed about $20 million to Tunisian privatization.