Tunisian Interim Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi today received President Donald Kaberuka in audience at his office in Tunis. Prime Minister Caid Essebsi expressed Tunisia's appreciation to the AfDB for its support. "Tunisia very much appreciates all the support received from AfDB, not just over the years but particularly in the difficult times we have just gone through," he said.

He added that the AfDB was the first to get in touch with transitional authorities immediately after the revolution of 14 January. The AfDB President emphasised that "Tunisia is a very important client country for the AfDB" and reaffirmed the Bank's commitment to to continue standing by Tunisia as a development partner.

Prime Minister Caid Essebsi spoke about progress with the country's ongoing transition programme and steps so far accomplished towards the organisation of the election of the Constituent Assembly on 24 July. He stressed that the priority of his government was two-fold: to organize a successful transition to democracy and to revive the country's economy.

President Kaberuka assured his host that Tunisia could count on the AfDB's continued support as it sought to solve its immediate budgetary challenges, and that the Bank would be accompanying it on the path to inclusive growth and development.

Today's audience took place following the interim government's disclosure of its economic recovery plan.

The AfDB, in close collaboration with the transitional government, and in coordination with other multilateral partners, is preparing operations in support of the Tunisian government's emergency program and providing medium-term development assistance.

The audience also coincides with the publication by the AfDB of a brief on the economic outlook of post-revolution Tunisia. Macroeconomic forecasts and scenarios of economic developments in the country were prepared, based on a review of the causes of the revolution.