Tunisia - The Integration support programme

The Integration Support Programme (PAI) comes after the three structural reform programmes involving competitiveness support (PAC I, PAC II and PAC III) implemented from 1999 to 2007, and supported by the Bank. The ultimate goal of this operation which will consolidate the gains of the three previous programmes is to support the Government in achieving the growth and employment objectives stated in the Development Policy Letter. It is also intended to help the country address the difficulties arising from the global crisis context and prepare the Tunisian economy for the future. These goals will be achieved, in part, through creating enabling conditions for more effective integration of the country, a small economy with export-based growth, into the world economy. The expected outcomes (impacts) are: (i) reduced transaction costs and deepening of trade integration for both goods and services; (ii) improved business environment; and (iii) improved access to financing.