Tunis — Financing projects requires mobilisation of additional funds given the increase in deficit and national debt, Minister responsible for Economic and Social Issues Ridha Saidi observed on Wednesday.

Saidi, speaking before the Finance, Planning and Development and Service Sectors Commission at the National Constituent Assembly (NCA), also called for speeding up the "devising of a legal framework which regulates public/private partnership (PPP) so as to reduce the charges of the public sector."

PPP contracts should meet a number of conditions likely to guarantee equity, transparency and equal opportunities, Mr. Saidi told TAP.

PPP, he added, will help the State make the most of the private sector's creativity and innovation so as to upgrade the quality of services provided to citizens.

In this connection, the Minister laid emphasis on the need to draw on successful experiences, such as Great Britain which averages two contracts per week.

The draft law on PPP is aimed at setting up a legal framework which regulates relevant agreements and identifying the principles underlying such contracts and ways to monitor their implementation.