RIYADH: The Saudi Fund for Development recently signed agreements to strengthen Tunisia’s healthcare sector by completing hospitals in Sbiba, Kasserine governorate, and El Jem, Mahdia governorate.

Funded through a soft loan, this initiative highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and supporting development in Tunisia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The signing ceremony, held at the Tunisian Ministry of Health in Tunis, was attended by Tunisian Minister of Health Mustapha Ferjani, Saudi Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz Al-Saqr, and the fund’s director general for Arab countries operations, Bandar Al-Obaid.

Ferjani expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their continued support of Tunisia, emphasizing that this project reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to the Tunisian healthcare sector.

Al-Saqr reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s dedication to advancing joint development projects in Tunisia, financed through various Saudi entities, and stressed the fund’s commitment to completing all its initiatives in the country.

The Saudi Fund for Development so far has financed 32 development projects and programs in Tunisia through soft loans exceeding $1.23 billion, along with four grants worth over $105 million to support key sectors, SPA reported.