Two Financing Agreements Signed Between EBRD and Tunisian Banks
Two financing agreements were signed on Monday between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and two Tunisian banks, namely AMEN BANK and UBCI, with a total envelope of 20 million euros. This is part of the launch of the Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF) program in Tunisia.
During a meeting held on this occasion, Slim Bouasker, a financial analyst at the EBRD's Tunis office, indicated that this program, with a total amount of 60 million euros, is intended to support Tunisian SMEs in their ecological transition projects, with the support of the European Union.
In a first phase, 20 million euros have been granted to AMEN Bank (10 million euros) and UBCI (10 million euros), said the analyst, adding that the remaining 40 million euros will subsequently be made available to other banks, microfinance institutions, and leasing companies.
These funds will enable the provision of loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in green projects, particularly in energy efficiency and renewable energy, he specified.
The beneficiary companies will also have access to technical assistance to help them structure and succeed in their projects. Furthermore, SMEs will be able to receive grants ranging from 10 to 15% of the value of the credit obtained after project implementation.
For AMEN Bank's General Manager, Néji Ghandri, this initiative marks an important step in the shared commitment to a greener, more sustainable, and more resilient economy.
"Through the GEFF line, we are making competitive financing available to Tunisian companies in local currency, technical support for evaluating and implementing green projects, and an EU subsidy to encourage project holders to take the step towards energy and ecological transition," he explained.
Ghandri affirmed that each project supported by the GEFF program contributes to reducing Tunisia's energy dependence, alleviating pressure on the energy balance, and better directing public resources towards innovation and durable job creation.
For his part, UBCI's General Manager, Mohamed Koubaa, highlighted that this financing line constitutes a new step to support the Tunisian economy, which needs to equip itself with financial engineering to be able to join the global momentum.
Since the beginning of its activities in Tunisia in 2012, the EBRD has invested nearly 2.8 billion euros in 83 projects across the country, with 67% benefiting the private sector.
