On April 29, 2021, the Mediterranean Renewable Energy Centre (MEDREC) was invited to participate in a working session with the Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency (APIA) in order to discuss future collaboration axes between APIA and MEDREC. 

The meeting started by an overall presentation of MEDREC, by Mr Marco POLVERARI,director of the centre. He shared the expertise of MEDREC in the sustainable development field and green entrepreneurship. He presented also the cooperation projects managed and coordinated by  the Centre, in particular REFAT, which is implemented within the framework of a technical agreement between the Italian Ministry of Environment and the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, aiming to implement sustainable development projects for young graduate and reduce the energy consumption of water supply in small-scale irrigation and drinking water production in highly vulnerable areas to climate change. 

Mme Inji DOGGUI HANINI, general director of the Agency, expressed her interest in implementing renewable energies in the agricultural sector. The Agency is considering supporting and promoting the cooperation projects to investors in the agricultural sector, given the grants provided by the new Investment Act. 

At the end of the session, APIA and MEDREC agreed to sign a Partnership Agreement with the aim to join their efforts to foster sustainable development in the agricultural sector. The provision of funding to young researchers and guidance and incubators’ support will be included among the actions to be carried out in the framework of the Agreement.