In an interview with our colleague Al Masdar , Abdelhamid Triki , Minister of Planning and International Cooperation , said that the Tunisian economy recorded a negative growth in the first quarter of 2011, within the limit of 3.3 %, while that it fell in the second quarter to less than 3% , according to initial estimates .

He said that several indicators show a return to economic dynamics in the country during the month of June 2011 , especially with the growth of value added tax to 80 and 100 million dinars and improving activities of certain economic sectors.

He also pointed out that the improvement of the national economy is closely linked to security and stability stop sit-ins and strikes in numerous public and private industrial units. He reminded that the law of complementary Finance for 2011 includes several important projects and programs.

He added that the second half will certainly be better than the first condition is that the established political stability and security . It is estimated that the growth rate will be positive 0.2%.

As regards the loans granted by international agencies, Triki indicates they are worth 1,850 million dinars , divided between World Bank (700 MTD ) , ADB (700 MTD ) , AFD (370 MTD ) and Commission of the European Union (90 MTD ) .

"Until August 3, 2011 , Tunisia received 1.6 billion dinars, or 500 million dinars ADB and 85 million euro AFD during the month of July. August 1 and August 3 , we got each other the amount of 250 million dinars , " he has said.

The minister indicated that Tunisia had access to these loans in a very short time so that the ordinary procedures take 3-4 years. He says they were granted with very advantageous conditions is a latency period of up to five years and a repayment over 30 years.

A development plan

On the development plan in the medium term in preparation , the Minister noted that consists of three steps. A first stage (2011-2012) will be to contain the negative impact of the post- revolution period . A second phase (2012-2013) will be a period of economic transition. A third stage (2014-2016) will focus on improving living conditions , achieving growth.

The cost of the plan is estimated between 100 and 125 billion dinars over the five years . Priority will be given during the first three years , public investment to address the shortcomings of some projects related to basic infrastructure and the connection between the regions and the development of new industrial areas. Minister stresses is expected that private sector participation in the investment exceeds 60 % in 2014 to 70 % and 80 % in subsequent years .

Moreover , he said that forecasts indicate the creation of 500 thousand jobs during the next five years , with an average of 80 and 85,000 jobs during the first two years. The Minister said that the plan will be presented to political parties and members of civil society.

Source: www.webmanagercenter.com