Tunisia has joined the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), making it the 34th country to become a partner of the REEEP. This membership reinforces Tunisia's commitment towards further promoting the use of renewable energies.

Tunis, 30 November, 2006

Tunisia has joined the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), making it the 34th country to become a partner of the REEEP. The Agence Nationale pour la Maitrise de l'Energie (ANME) will represent Tunisia in the international partnership.

The Tunisian Secretary of State in charge of Renewable Energy and Agri-Business, Mr. Ridha Ben Mosbah said, "Our REEEP membership reinforces Tunisia's commitment towards further promoting the use of renewable energies. There is already a strong political will in Tunisia to develop and make greater and better use of solar energy, wind energy and cogeneration. Energy efficiency is indeed a top priority in our national strategy for sustainable development and the protection of our environment. Thus, we have put in place incentives and institutional framework schemes and are actively working on improving public awareness. Tunisia is looking forward to working more closely with its international partners and, in particular, the other members of REEEP in the field of sustainable energy."

REEEP is an international alliance of governments, NGOs and businesses dedicated to accelerating and expanding the global market for renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies. Joining forces with the REEEP will facilitate the transfer of expertise on renewable energy to and from Tunisia, provide momentum for national public and private investment programmes and help develop the industry.

Ms Marianne Osterkorn, REEEP International Director, sees the commitment of the Tunisian government as a major step towards engaging the North African region with the clean energy sector. "We are very happy to establish a close relationship with Tunisia and to welcome Tunisia as the first North African country to join REEEP as a partner."

"We have understood that despite the availability of oil and gas in the region there is an increased interest of Tunisian authorities to support investments in renewable energies such as wind power. REEEP is more than happy to provide support to facilitate this change."

REEEP's work is focused on the development and support of legislative, regulatory and financial frameworks that accelerate the marketplace for renewable energy and energy efficiency. REEEP is active globally, with over 32 on-ground projects targeting the development of policy or financial models that can be replicated by governments and project developers worldwide. The partnership has more that 180 members, including all G8 countries with the exception of Russia.

In 2006, Switzerland, Argentina, Singapore and Romania all joined REEEP in order to support their domestic renewable energy and energy efficiency programmes. The British Ambassador to Tunisia, Alan Goulty, said "We are delighted that Tunisia has confirmed its commitment to global environmental protection through its membership in REEEP. We look forward to continuing our work with the Tunisian government in the field of renewables, which we have already initiated through the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding in the energy sector with the Tunisian Government and to fostering closer ties of cooperation."

For more information contact:

Sami Marrouki

switchboard +216 71 787 700

direct +216 71 780 496

email : sami.marrouki@anme.nat.tn