MPs begin debate on bill to approve agreement between gov’t and Qatar Fund for Development

Tunis: Members of Parliament, on Tuesday, began discussing the organic bill to approve the agreement between the Tunisian government and the Qatar Fund for Development for the establishment of a fund office in Tunisia. During the plenary session, MP of the 'Voice of the Republic" bloc Adel Dhiab asserted that this agreement will primarily focus on economic development in Tunisia, ensuring that it "will not encroach upon national sovereignty." According to him, this agreement, through the allocated funds, will promote local development, thereby contributing to the creation of job opportunity for young people. He noted that Qatar is the foremost Arab investor in Tunisia, with 88 agreements concluded between the two countries, covering various development sectors and benefiting 42,000 Tunisians. On his part, independent MP Abdelhalim Boussama stated that Tunisia currently needs to boost foreign investments and invigorate economic diplomacy amidst a challenging financial situation marked by a liquidity shorta ge. He urged the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy to revitalise economic diplomacy with African and Arab countries to enhance their investments in Tunisia. He also proposed investing a portion of the fund's profits in projects in the fields of education, environment, start-ups, and youth. The MP recalled that Qatar has funded projects worth $90 million, in addition to commitments made during the Tunisia Investment Forum 2022, to support Tunisia with an amount of $1250, including $250,000 for the financing of development projects. On the other hand, MP of the "Sovereign National Line" bloc Ahmed Saidani denounced "pressures" to quickly submit this bill to the ARP, arguing that it "touches upon national sovereignty." He suggested that the adoption of this bill would undermine the "credibility of the Presidency and Prime Ministry," as it does not differ from "other agreements adopted over the past decade that have undermined national sovereignty and plundered the country's wealth." Likewise, deput y of the "For the Victory of the People" bloc Ali Zaghdoud emphasised that any funding or partnership with the State of Qatar should not be established outside the nationally adopted development plans and their overarching goals and objectives. "It should also not come at the expense of national policy and sovereignty," he added. For her part, independent MP Basma Hammami stated that "the quest for development must occur with states that engage in effective investments and respect Tunisian law." Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse