On Friday, February 7, Donald Kaberuka, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, will attend an official ceremony in Tunis to launch the new Tunisian Constitution.

In addition to participating in the celebration, the AfDB wishes to make known its firm support for Tunisia during this historic period. The Bank also sends its warmest congratulations to the people of Tunisia and their leaders who have adopted their new Constitution by means of dialogue and consensus. Congratulations are also due on the appointment of a new government.

The AfDB notes with pride the appointment of two of its most talented officials to the government of Mehdi Jomaa. They are Abdelhakim Ben Hammouda and Lassad Lachaal, Minister of Economy and Finance, and Minister of Agriculture, respectively.

For President Kaberuka these events are "good news for Tunisia and for Africa. They will contribute to restoring the confidence of financial operators both within and outside the country."

The AfDB remains fully confident of Tunisia's ability to face the serious challenges of relaunching the economy and ensuring political and social stability. The Bank repeats its willingness to continue to support Tunisia during this promising period. Ongoing high-level dialogue will enable the Tunisian authorities and the AfDB to maintain an ambitious and lasting partnership. This partnership will continue beyond the transition period, and will support the transformation of Tunisia in favour of more inclusive growth.

Since January 2011, the AfDB has committed over 2.4 billion Tunisian dinars to Tunisia for new projects and programs. This brings the AfDB's total investment in the country since 1967 to more than 13 billion Tunisian dinars, making Tunisia the second highest recipient country among the Bank's beneficiaries.