IFC International Finance : Director Visits Tunisia, Explores Ways to Combat Poverty, Spur Economic Growth

Tunis, Tunisia, January 27, 2017-Mouayed Makhlouf, IFC Director for the Middle East and North Africa, has just completed a two-day visit to Tunisia. During the trip he met with senior government officials, re-affirming IFC's support for the country and exploring ways to increase private sector participation in the economy. During his visit, Makhlouf announced that IFC targets a $300 million each year in Tunisia to support private sector.

Makhlouf attended working sessions with the minister of employment and vocational training, the minister of development, investment and international cooperation, and the minister of commerce and industry. He also met with business leaders, to discuss ways IFC can help them. The visit is part of broader effort by IFC to help create jobs, bolster local infrastructure, increase economic inclusion, and spur foreign investment in Tunisia, which has struggled economically since the Arab Spring.

'Tunisia has tremendous potential, but the government cannot drive economic growth alone,' said Makhlouf. 'The country needs to create a favorable environment for the private sector which has the potential to drive innovation, create jobs, and deliver the infrastructure projects that will lay the foundation for the country's future. IFC stands ready to support the country in its economic transition.'

This marks Makhlouf's second visit to Tunisia in three months. In November, he attended Tunisia 2020, a conference designed to spur discussion about the country's economic development. There he signed an agreement to help Tunisia's government develop public-private partnerships in the water, power, and transport sectors.

IFC invested $1.5 billion in the Middle East and North Africa in 2016.

About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with 2,000 businesses worldwide, we use our six decades of experience to create opportunity where it's needed most. In FY16, our long-term investments in developing countries rose to nearly $19 billion, leveraging our capital, expertise and influence to help the private sector end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visitwww.ifc.org

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