Tunis: Financial cooperation programmes for 2024 and development projects co-funded by the World Bank (WB) took centre stage at a meeting held Friday between Economy and Planning Minister Feriel Ouerghi and WB's Country Director for the Maghreb and Malta Jesko Hentschel. Progress on the 'Kasserine/Sidi Bouzid/Sfax Economic Development Corridor' project, co-financed by the World Bank and aimed at narrowing regional economic disparities by improving the quality of road transport and facilitating access to finance for SMEs along the corridor, was reviewed at the meeting. The project 'will spur economic growth and development in the target regions, particularly as it will provide a developed infrastructure that will encourage investment and hence the creation of projects in the areas along the road targeted by the dual carriageway," reads a ministry press release. The meeting further helped review the Amen Solid Social Safety Net Programme, also co-funded by the WB, and several other cooperation programmes to improve food and social security. The Ministry said that projects in several strategic sectors, including electricity, water, higher education, health, social protection and food security, will be presented to the WB for funding. Speaking on this occasion, the WB official "reiterated the WB's commitment to keep on supporting Tunisia in implementing its priority reform and development projects, meet the current challenges and achieve a comprehensive and sustainable development." Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse