10 January 2004
Tunis — Since it creation in 1988 and until the end of last year, the National Solidarity Bank has accepted 66,552 loan applications, said the CEO of the Bank, Mr. Ahmed Naija.
Established on May 21, 1998, the National Solidarity Bank (BTS) grants small loans to young graduates and professionals who do not meet the requirements of regular banking institutions. The maximum amount for loans granted by the BTS is 10,000 dinars (about 8,500 US dollars) on average. That maximum can go as high as 50,000 dinars (about 42,000 US dollars) for young university graduates.
In an interview with Tunisian Arabic daily Assabah, Mr. Naija said the total value of the loans granted by the BTS since it inception is 266,7 million dinars (about 225,000 US dollars). The target number of total jobs created by BTS projects is more than 95,000 new employment opportunities, he added.
Tunisians between the ages of 18 and 59 who can prove proficiency in certain skills or specialties and who are willing to fully devote themselves to the implementation of any one project are eligible for bank loans.
Credit is lent at an annual 5% interest rate.
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