The President of the African Development Bank Group, Donald Kaberuka, Thursday, May 23, in Tunis, called on the Tunisian Prime Minister, Ali Laarayedh.

President Kaberuka underscored the friendship between the AfDB and Tunisia and expressed gratitude to the Tunisian Government

and people for their hospitality to the institution for the past 10 years. "We are home in Tunisia," affirmed the AfDB President.

Ali Laarayedh expressed thanks to the AfDB, "a pre-eminent institution for its constant support that has gone from strength to strength after the revolution, and that we hope will continue."

The Prime Minister informed the AfDB delegation of the progress made in the elaboration of a road map to guide the country's political transition, with both parties underscoring the numerous challenges facing Tunisia on the social and economic fronts.

President Kaberuka, for his part, assured the Tunisian authorities of the Bank's support enabling the country to meet its goals regarding governance reforms, reduction of regional disparities and inclusive economic transformation making way for a fair distribution of the fruits of growth.

With respect to the return of the Bank to the AfDB official Headquarters in Abidjan, Kaberuka confirmed that the plan for the return would be adopted by the AfDB Board of Governors at the Bank's Annual Meetings in Marrakech, from May 27 to 31.

This return will be ongoing process up to 2015. However, the Bank plans to maintain an important number of staff in Tunis, which will serve as a regional centre for operations in North Africa.