Saudi Arabian Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Alkhorayef, and the Tunisian Minister of Finance, responsible for managing the Ministry of Economy and Planning, Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia, signed seven memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Wednesday. These agreements were signed on the sidelines of the eleventh session of the Saudi-Tunisian Joint Committee held in the capital of Tunisia.
The agreements include a pact in the field of agricultural scientific research between the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries. They also signed an MoU in the water sector between the same Saudi ministry and the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries, and another MoU in the field of environmental protection between the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and the Tunisian Ministry of Environment.
Additional agreements covered industrial cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the Tunisian Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy; tourism cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Tourism and the Tunisian Ministry of Tourism; labor sector cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Tunisian Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training; and technical and scientific cooperation in meteorology and climate between the Saudi National Center for Meteorology and the Tunisian National Meteorology Center.
Furthermore, the total non-oil exports from Saudi Arabia to Tunisia in the third quarter of the current year amounted to 513.42 million Saudi Riyals, while the non-oil imports from Tunisia to Saudi Arabia were valued at 206.59 million Saudi Riyals. Additionally, the contribution of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund in financing joint projects in Tunisia reached 3.8 million Saudi Riyals.
The cooperation between Tunisia and Saudi Arabia has seen significant developments in various fields over the years.
Saudi Arabia has provided financial support to Tunisia, especially during times of crisis. For instance, following Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Tunisia in 2018, Saudi Arabian officials announced plans for $800 million in loans and aid to Tunisia. This package aimed to provide short-term fiscal support and boost investment and trade, addressing Tunisia’s economic challenges. The fiscal package included soft loans, export development funding, and aid from the Saudi Development Fund.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia pledged to provide assistance to Tunisia during a political, economic, and health crisis, as stated by the Tunisian presidency. This support was a sign of backing for President Kais Saied against his Islamist opponents. The assistance included COVID-19 vaccine donations and medical aid, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional source for fiscal aid and development finance
