DD & D to invest 355 MTD in Tunisia

The Brussels-based non-governmental organisation "Dignity, Development and Democracy" (DD & D) plans to invest 355 million Tunisian dinars (MTD) (185 million euros) in Tunisia to carry out socio-economic projects, announced Mr. Abdeljalil Ben Soltana, Chairman of the Executive Board of the NGO and Tunisian businessman residing in Belgium. Mr. Ben Soltana, who was speaking to journalists at a news conference held on Saturday in Tunis, said that these projects involve the building of a primary school, kindergartens, hospitals and free social dwellings. They also provide for assistance to youth in different Tunisian regions to materialise their private projects. Studies for the realisation of twenty projects in disadvantaged Tunisian regions have already been started, said the Tunisian businessman. A Chinese businessmen delegation on a visit to Tunisia (October 5-9, 2011) at the invitation of the NGO took part in this news briefing. Chinese promoters expressed their intention to create projects in Tunisia in the areas of electricity, gas, mining, phosphates, agriculture, tourism and health. A group of Chinese businessmen, who came to explore investment and economic co-operation opportunities in Tunisia, believe that the country, thanks to its geographical location, is a platform conducive to investment and can serve as a gateway and bridge between China and Mediterranean, European and African countries and those of the Near East. DD & D, a non-governmental organisation, was created on March 9, 2011 in Brussels. Established at the initiative of a group of Tunisian businessmen residing in Tunisia and abroad, this NGO, which aims to fight against poverty, unemployment and social disparities, plans to open an office in Tunisia and others in governorates of the country.