Tunisia hopes to mobilize $30 billion at the Tunisia 2020 conference taking place in Tunis on November 29 and 30.

The nation, which is considered the success of the 2011 Arab Spring, is currently experiencing some economic challenges, worsened by terrorist attacks, which drove tourists away and cause their currency to plummet.

Among about 40 countries present at the conference, France, which is represented by its Prime Minister Manuel Valls and close to 250 businessmen from various sectors, and Qatar whose Sheik Tamin Bin Hamad, will deliver one of the opening speeches, will be most visible at the event.  There is also a Chinese and a U.S. delegation.

Prior to the conference, the European Investment Bank (EIB) granted Tunisie Telecom a €100 million loan to strengthen its networks. Other agreements should be signed before the conference ends. The conventions concern among others, the construction of a bridge, the strengthening of power transmissions, all for about €502 million.

Let’s recall that the conference is being held in a context where complaints are raining down in Tunisia. Last week, lawyers, professors and other social workers went on strike to protest against the 2017 budget project which increases fiscal pressure, cuts down the revenues of some households and introduces many austerity measures.