Millennium Challenge Corporation Visits Tunisia to Discuss Compact to Promote Inclusive Economic Growth for Tunisians
TUNIS, February 2, 2017 – A delegation from the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), led by Acting Vice President of Compact Operations Kyeh Kim, visited Tunisia this week to discuss the development of an MCC compact to reduce poverty and promote inclusive economic growth in collaboration with the Government of Tunisia. MCC’s Board of Directors selected Tunisia as eligible to develop an MCC compact in December 2016.
During the visit, the MCC delegation, joined by U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Daniel Rubinstein, met with President Beji Caid Essebsi, Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, and Minister of Development, Investment, and International Cooperation Fadhel Abdelkafi, as well as with senior Tunisian Government officials, civil society, and private sector leaders to discuss MCC’s approach to fighting poverty through sustainable economic growth, outline next steps in the compact development process, and listen to perspectives on Tunisia’s economic challenges and opportunities.
“The decision by MCC’s Board of Directors to select Tunisia for an MCC compact is evidence of the government’s commitment to improving economic policy performance and investing in its people,” Kim said. “This new collaboration is an opportunity for Tunisia and the United States to deepen our relationship based on our shared goals of strengthening democratic institutions and reducing poverty through economic growth.”
Using a country-led approach that reflects a country’s own priorities, MCC provides time-limited grants and assistance to developing countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, from fighting corruption to respecting democratic rights. Working with local partners, MCC tackles some of the most pressing challenges that developing countries face, like insufficient infrastructure, the mismatch between existing skills and available job opportunities, and policy and institutional reform.
During the compact development process, which can take two to three years to complete, MCC and the Government of Tunisia will jointly identify the country’s greatest barriers to economic growth and develop a program specifically aimed at addressing them to benefit all Tunisians. The compact development process also includes a consultative framework, engaging civil society and the private sector in Tunisia.
Learn more about MCC at www.mcc.gov.
