Country Profile
From The Report: Algeria 2014
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Algeria has notable geographic, demographic and cultural diversity. Its territory reaches from the Mediterranean Coast to the depths of the Sahara Desert, and its population includes a blend of Arab and Berber linguistic and cultural traditions. In recent years, Algeria has maintained an impressive degree of stability, with the government focusing on helping stave off further unrest in the region and working to strengthen the country’s baseline economic indicators. Economic development has been driven by oil and gas, which today still accounts for 30% of GDP, 60% of budget revenue and 97% of export receipts. In the last five years, the government has reoriented its focus to diversify the economy and take advantage of the full range of the country’s natural and human resources, and to ensure that growth is more inclusive.

This chapter includes viewpoints from President Abdelaziz Bouteflika; Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal; and Jean-Marc Ayrault, Former Prime Minister of France. It also includes interviews with Ramtane Lamamra, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Fiona Woolf, Alderman and Former Lord Mayor of London.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Efforts to improve social indicators and boost the private sector
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Algeria has notable geographic, demographic and cultural diversity. Its territory reaches from the Mediterranean Coast to the depths of the Sahara Desert, and its population includes a blend of Arab and Berber linguistic and cultural traditions. Economic development has been driven by oil and gas, which today still account for 30% of GDP, 60% of budget revenue and 97% of export receipts. Ample hydrocarbons revenue has allowed the government to channel capital into generous public expenditure programmes…

Viewpoint

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on investing for the future
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In recent years Algeria has achieved real progress on both the social and economic fronts and has tangible results to show for it – particularly in agricultural and rural development where, in terms of both the scale and scope of initiatives, we have seen significant leaps forward. In the fields of industry and services, investment promotion policies have led not only to the creation of numerous small, medium-sized and micro enterprises across an array of segments, but also greater integration…

Viewpoint

From many angles: Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal on the presidential programme
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Over the past few years, Algeria has made significant economic progress and achieved many positive indicators. From 2010 to 2014, the country’s GDP shows an average increase of 4%, while inflation was brought under control and is now down to around 3.5%. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, has declined significantly, from 29.5% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2013. To consolidate the achievements and fulfil the commitments of the presidential programme, the government will develop a five-year strategic growth…

Overview

Political institutions working to adapt to a new context
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Algeria occupies a unique place in North Africa and in the last 15 years has exhibited remarkable continuity in an ever-changing and sometimes volatile region. Over the past four years, the Maghreb region – which encompasses Mauritania, Morocco and Western Sahara, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya – has undergone significant changes, ranging from modest constitutional amendments in Morocco to revolution in Tunisia and civil war in Libya. Throughout all this, however, Algeria has maintained an impressive…

Viewpoint

Jean-Marc Ayrault, Former Prime Minister of France, on strengthening the relationship between France and Algeria
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Franco-Algerian relations have evolved positively since President François Hollande’s visit in 2012. This does not mean that both countries have overcome their issues, but I believe relations are heading in a new direction and in a new context. We have turned a corner and, as President Hollande said, we do not have to sidestep the reality behind Algeria and France’s historical relationship. Both countries are on a clear course of action to relaunch a partnership for the better. Commercial ties…

Analysis

A focus on expanding economic and trade relationships
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After decades of non-alignment during the Cold War, the development of Algeria’s foreign relations has taken on a decidedly liberal economic character. The country is expanding its links with foreign partners in an effort to develop a diversified, knowledge-based economy and has also redoubled efforts to advance its bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Algerian-French Relations Despite their painful break, Algeria and France remain deeply linked. Shared usage of the French language…

Interview

OBG talks to Ramtane Lamamra, Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Interview:Ramtane Lamamra What scope do you foresee for strengthening ties with Asian economies? RAMTANE LAMAMRA: Over recent years many high-level visits took place with our Asian partners. Indeed, relations between Algeria and many Asian countries date back to the 1950s, with long-standing ties based on mutual respect, solidarity and cooperation. The Algerian government has initiated a series of reforms aimed at diversifying the economy to make it more attractive to foreign investors.…

Interview

OBG talks to Fiona Woolf, Alderman and Former Lord Mayor of London
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Interview:Fiona Woolf How can the UK work with Algeria to share best practices related to business environment reforms? FIONA WOOLF: It is all about getting an in-depth understanding of the Algerian market and finding bespoke solutions, adapting what has worked elsewhere. I do not believe the UK can just point to policies we have brought in and say, “Why not do that?” A direct cut-and-paste solution will not work. The best approach is to talk faceto-face with businesses and the government…