Dr Hashim Yamani, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, stressed the importance of enhancing Saudi-Tunisian economic cooperation, and said the volume of trade exchange between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Tunisia was SR145 million in 2002.
Addressing the first session of the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Commission on Tuesday, Dr Yamani urged further consultation between Saudi and Tunisian businessmen and the organization of exhibitions. He highlighted programs of the Saudi Development Fund for financing non-oil exports and facilities extended by the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to enhance economic cooperation among Muslim countries.
Dr Yamani noted that the Saudi Development Fund has extended SR1.149 billion in soft loans for financing development projects in Tunisia.
The Minister lauded the significant role played by the Saudi-Tunisian Investment Company in boosting cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
Noting that Saudi investment in Tunisian had exceeded SR600 million, Dr Yamani urged Saudi and Tunisian private sectors to accord greater attention to the implementation of projects. He noted that the Saudi-Tunisian agreement for land transport reflected the keenness of the Saudi and Tunisian leadership to enhance bilateral economic relations.
Source: SPA
