ARP ratifies organic bill adopting amendments to Agreement establishing EBRD

Tunis: The Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP) ratified in plenary session Tuesday, with 115 votes in favour, 3 against and 7 abstentions, the organic bill adopting the amendments to the Agreement Establishing the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).These amendments concern in particular the Bank's day-to-day operations, the conditions for the use of its capital and the potential beneficiaries of EBRD interventions.Among the changes is the extension of the geographical scope of the EBRD's operations to countries in sub-Saharan Africa.According to the preamble to the draft law, these changes will not impose any financial burden on Tunisia. Instead, they will strengthen business relations with sub-Saharan African countries and further open up opportunities on the continent.Once amended, the text will "contribute to the fight against irregular migration by improving the socio-economic situation of these countries".Founded in 1990, the EBRD currently has 72 member countries. T unisia became a member of the EBRD in 2011, following the bank's decision to expand the geographical scope of its operations to include countries on the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean.Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse