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TUNIS, May 5 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell has
informed Tunisian authorities it will leave the country next
year, Rania Marzouki a senior official in the energy ministry,
told Reuters.
She said the decision was related to Shell's plans to focus
on renewable energy.
She said Shell's departure will mean the Miskar concession
in southern city of Gabes will be handed back to the government
and she said Shell had requested the early hand-back of the
Asdrubal permit, which expires in 2035.
Marzouki's comments confirm a Reuters report quoting
industry sources last month saying that Shell had hired
investment bank Rothschild & Co. to sell its Tunisian assets.
Shell declined to comment at that time.
(Reporting By Tarek Amara. Editing by Jane Merriman)
