Middle East Bureau Assistant Administrator Mike Harvey announced USAID is upgrading its presence in Tunisia to a full-scale bilateral USAID Mission and the signature of a five-year Development Objective Agreement (DOAG) with the Government of Tunisia August 28, 2019. 

“The U.S. Government is committed to supporting the Government of Tunisia’s efforts to strengthen its democracy through good governance and economic growth,” said Harvey. “We believe that this Agreement demonstrates our steadfast commitment to Tunisia’s development goals.”

During the ceremonial signing of the DOAG, Harvey announced up to one billion Tunisian dinars in U.S. assistance over the next five years.

The DOAG represents the first-ever comprehensive bilateral development grant agreement between the U.S. Government and the Government of Tunisia, and outlines the US Government’s long-term commitment to support activities that strengthen Tunisia’s democracy, governance, and economic growth across the country. Activities funded under this Agreement will be implemented in close coordination with the Government of Tunisia. 

USAID photo by Charlotte Lawrence

USAID photo by Charlotte Lawrence

The Minister of Development, Investment and International Cooperation, Mr. Zied Ladhari, presided over the DOAG signing ceremony, and was accompanied by Harvey, the U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia, Donald Blome, and the USAID/Tunisia Principal Officer, Peter Riley. See full remarks here.

Harvey also spent a day in Kairouan, Tunisia, where he met with the Governor and other municipal officials, as well as visited a cosmetics shop owned by women who have participated in USAID business training programs; provided keynote remarks at the grand opening of a USAID supported municipal park; and visited Agriland, a USAID supported medium-sized business specializing in antioxidant and essential oil extraction.