Lord Hylton – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hylton on 2016-02-22.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are discussing unemployment in Kasserine and other parts of Tunisia with the government of that country; and whether any steps are being taken to mobilise investment from the Arab Partnership Fund and other institutions to improve employment rates in those areas.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We have regular dialogue with the Tunisian government on a range of issues, including their economic development, particularly in marginalised areas like Kasserine.
UK support to Tunisia has doubled in the last year to nearly £6 million, and we will continue this high level of support in the next financial year. Since 2011, working with international partners and using funds including the Arab Partnership, Arab Partnership Economic Facility and Conflict Security and Stability Fund, the UK has supported private sector development, vocational training, job creation, economic governance and transparency, including in marginalised areas. Partners such as Germany, the US, France, the EU, the European Reconstruction and Development Bank, the World Bank and the European Investment Bank are also involved in similar initiatives. It is also important that the Tunisian government sets out and implements its vision for economic and social development. This will help ensure that international support is sustainable.
