Tunis — The Governorate of Tunis will benefit of 198 development projects as part of the supplementary State budget for 2012, with investments estimated at 878 million Tunisian dinars (MTD), including 167 MTD to be spent this year.

This decision was announced by Minister of Regional Development and Planning Jameleddine Gharbi at a visit paid Monday by a Government delegation to the Governorate of Tunis.

He said the Government will launch this month the national consultation around projects to be carried out in 2013, underlining that the essential target at this stage is "to boost the competitiveness of each region and promote the action designed to ensure fair distribution of the fruits of development in all regions."

The minister added that the sanitation sector will attract the largest part of the funds allocated to the Governorate with a total of 312 MTD, while 112 MTD will go to bridges and roads.

Justice Minister Noureddine Bhiri said the reform project is not "the monopoly of the ruling Troika, but, he said "the doors are open to the participation of all political movements."

He said, in this regard, that the opposition has the right to criticise the Government, provided that this criticism is constructive"

Mr. Bhiri also criticised those who "give a misleading picture of Tunisia that harms tourism and deters foreign investors."

He said, in this regard, that "Tunisia is not 'Kandahar', underlining that the "process of transition is on the right track."

In his meeting with local citizens, Minister of Equipment and Housing Mohamed Salman said the cost of road projects stands at 164 MTD and that a first part of 100 MTD will be allocated to western Tunis to combat floods. This project is launched in 2012.

The minister added that 54 MTD will be dedicated to the development of popular districts, particularly those of Hrairia and Bhar Lazrag.

Finance Minister Houcine Dimassi stressed the importance of the participation of the civil society in the development process which is a significant support for the realisation of major projects in the region.

He said that the lack of security and stability rather than financing are the largest obstacle to project implementation, especially in inland areas.

The Government delegation, which comprises also Constituent Assembly members of the region, will pay field visits this afternoon to learn about the progress of some projects in the region.