A loan agreement was signed in Tunis on 20 November between the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and the Government of the Republic of Tunisia. Under the terms of the agreement, the Fund will provide a loan of 10 million Kuwaiti Dinars (KWD) (equivalent to approximately 32 million US dollars) to help finance the renewal and development of railway lines for the transport of phosphates in Tunisia, Arab Times reported.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the Government of Tunisia between Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Nafti, Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs, and Mr. Abdullah Ali Al Yahya, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Board of the Kuwait Fund.
The project aims to support Tunisia’s economic and social development by rehabilitating and developing railway lines in the Phosphate Triangle region in the south of the country. The aim is to transport larger quantities of phosphate at lower cost, positively impacting this vital sector. The project also aims to relieve pressure on road infrastructureand reduce traffic congestion and accidents. The source said it is a cornerstone of Tunisia’s national transport strategy.
The project involves the rehabilitation and extension of approximately 190 kilometres of railway lines in the Phosphate Triangle region. The upgrades will increase the capacity of the lines to accommodate new electric and fuel locomotives capable of transporting larger quantities of phosphate and derivatives. The improvements will also double train speeds to 80-100 km/h, helping to reduce carbon emissions.
The project also includes the construction and equipping of a concrete sleeper factory and the provision of consultancy services to oversee the implementation to ensure quality and compliance with the required standards. The implementation period is expected to be three years, with project completion expected in the first half of 2028.
TunisianMonitorOnline (NejiMed)
