clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Algeria prepares new investment law to expand from oil economy

September 17, 2021 at 10:21 am

Algerian Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane delivers a speech at the National People’s Assemble in the capital Algiers on 13 September 2021. [RYAD KRAMDI/AFP via Getty Images]

Algeria is preparing a new investment law to improve its business climate and attract foreign investors with the aim of boosting the non-energy sector, Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane said yesterday.

Reuters reported the official also announcing plans to develop the country’s small stock exchange and launch banking and financial reforms to find new funding sources for the oil-reliant economy.

OPEC member Algeria, which relies heavily on oil and gas exports, has been facing financial problems due to lower energy earnings. The situation worsened during the pandemic, which slammed crude demand and pressured international prices.

The North African country has so far failed to reduce reliance on energy despite promises to develop the non-energy sector, with both local and foreign investors complaining about obstacles, including bureaucracy.

“The government is working on a deep review of the investment law to take care of the various concerns of businessmen and the obstacles that prevented the realisation of projects,” Benabderrahmane, also finance minister, told parliament after debating the government action plan.

Algeria official: Saudi FM did not discuss rift with Morocco

“We want to create an attractive investment environment to attract foreign direct investment to our country.”

The new law will be ready to be debated by lawmakers within a few, he said, without providing details on plans.

Legislation approved last year allowed foreign investors to take majority stakes in projects in non-strategic sectors to diversify the economy away from oil and gas.

The new investment law will be accompanied by other measures to seek new financing sources, including developing the Algiers stock exchange, improving bank management, encouraging partnerships between private and state firms to carry out major projects and opening the door for greater role of Islamic finances, Benaberrahmane said.

“The banking and financial reform will allow a transparent and efficient management,” he said, repeating the government will sell stakes in some of the country’s six state banks.

“We want to have alternative funding methods,” Benabderrahmane said.