In a significant stride towards sustainable development, the Ministry of Economy and Planning, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), unveiled two groundbreaking initiatives on Wednesday in Tunis—the SDG Investor Map and a comprehensive study on the investment ecosystem. These endeavors are part of the Joint SDG Fund, which brings together several UN agencies, including the UNDP and UNICEF.
The SDG Investor Map serves as a powerful market intelligence tool, directing private capital towards emerging markets where SDG priorities align with government policies and market opportunities. It has identified 18 Investment Opportunity Areas (IOAs) across eight priority sectors, including infrastructure, agri-food business, financial services, transport, education, healthcare services, renewables, and ICT. These areas are closely aligned with Tunisia's domestic policy priorities and development needs.
Additionally, the study on the impact investing ecosystem has pinpointed nine key fields with high potential for impact investing. These include enhancing energy independence through renewables and energy efficiency, combating climate change, promoting high-value textile production for economic growth, and leveraging digital solutions to bridge regional disparities.
Speaking at the launch event, Minister of Economy and Planning, Samir Saïed, emphasized Tunisia's commitment to achieving the SDGs and ensuring that no one is left behind—a core principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He highlighted that 80% of the SDGs are aligned with Tunisia's development plan for 2016-2020, emphasizing the need to rethink the development model and explore new avenues for sustainable growth and development funding.
Nejia Gharbi, Director General of the Deposits and Consignment Fund (CDC), underscored the fund's focus on responsible investment in high-impact projects, implementing a robust set of indicators to assess the impact of financed projects.
Celine Moyroud, UNDP Resident Representative in Tunisia, emphasized the importance of aligning growth ambitions with SDG objectives, stressing the need for innovative development funding and partnerships, particularly with the private sector and civil society.
Arnaud Peral, the UN Resident Coordinator in Tunisia, highlighted the crucial role of the private sector in SDG achievement, especially in light of limited resources. This initiative signals a concerted effort towards mobilizing resources and fostering partnerships to accelerate progress towards sustainable development in Tunisia.
Originally published on www.tap.info.tn
