Information Session on the New European Investment Bank (EIB) Credit Line: "Tunisia - Economic Recovery"
An information session was held on February 3 to present the new European Investment Bank (EIB) credit line, "Tunisia - Economic Recovery". Organized in conjunction with the Rawafed+ project, funded by the European Union and managed by Expertise France, this meeting aimed to inform Tunisian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) about the available financing opportunities and eligibility criteria.
Key Features of the Credit Line
At least 30% of the funds from this credit line are reserved for projects that meet social inclusion criteria, including job creation, regional development, and support for initiatives led by women and young entrepreneurs. This initiative is part of the "Team Europe" strategy, which supports the national priorities set by the Ministry of Economy and the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT), in favor of economic recovery and productive investment.
Benefits for SMEs
According to the information presented during the session, SMEs can benefit from the following advantages:
- Availability of financing in euros or Tunisian dinars
- Grace period of up to 3 years
- Low interest rate based on the TMM, with a risk margin and commercial margin for financing in dinars, and a reduced preferential rate of at least 25 basis points compared to the standard rate
- Repayment period of 2 to 10 years, with durations of at least two years longer than the usual practices of partner financial institutions
- Maximum loan amount estimated at 12.5 million euros, with the possibility of financing 100% of the project's total cost
- Access to Rawafed+ premiums (up to 50,000 euros) for projects that meet social inclusion criteria
- Possibility of financing working capital and business creation
Eligibility Criteria
All companies operating a regular economic activity in Tunisia can submit their application, without distinction of legal form, including:
- SMEs (less than 250 employees in full-time equivalents)
- Medium-sized enterprises (between 250 and 3,000 consolidated employees)
- Family businesses, associations, liberal professions, or independent workers with a VAT number and registered with the trade register
Calculation of Consolidated Staff
Eligibility for the credit line is based on the calculation of full-time equivalent staff (FTE), taking into account the actual time worked during the year, and not the total number of employees. The staff of related or partner companies are also integrated according to the level of capital participation:
- Autonomy: no other structure holds 25% or more of the capital
- Partner companies (25% to 50% of the capital): proportional consideration of FTE
- Participation exceeding 50%: total FTE of related companies are fully integrated
For example, a company controlling 80% of a subsidiary with 20 FTE and 30% of a company with 210 FTE will consolidate 20 and 63 FTE, respectively. If its direct staff is 100 FTE, its total consolidated staff will be 183 FTE, keeping it in the SME category.
An Opportunity for Tunisian Entrepreneurs
This credit line offers Tunisian SMEs and medium-sized enterprises a significant financing lever, with flexible conditions and significant benefits, while promoting social inclusion and regional development. Entrepreneurs are invited to assess their eligibility and prepare their projects to benefit from this mechanism supported by the European Union and the EIB.
