The first instalment of the ODA loan for the Project to Support Strengthening of Social Protection worth 10.4 million yens, or around 233 million Tunisian dinars, was disbursed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and made available to the Tunisian government on Friday.
The purpose of this loan is to consolidate the implementation of the social protection programme in Tunisia (Amen Social), contribute to improving the living conditions of needy and low-income families and promote social stability in Tunisia.
This first tranche will fund expenditures in the form of monthly cash transfers to eligible households. This disbursement is part of a loan totalling 12 million yens.
During TICAD 8, held in August 2022, Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio announced to President Kaïs Saïed his country's willingness to grant Tunisia a loan to strengthen the social protection programme.
The loan agreement was signed between the two governments in Tunis in January 2023.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse