Abdelaziz Bouteflika: “We Will Not Abandon Social Support Policy, National Solidarity”

Boosting the national economy and the diversification of the country’s incomes should be achieved in the light of national solidarity, President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, said in a message marking the double anniversary of the founding of the General Union of Algerian Workers and the Nationalization of Oil, that was read on his behalf by the Justice Minister, Tayeb Louh, on Saturday, in Oran (western Algeria).

“Youth should no longer consider their future in terms of oil price fluctuations. The economic crisis that shook the foundations of the global economy and the multidimensional implications are warning us to identify ways and means to bring about the growth of our economy”.

“The turmoil of the oil markets and its repercussions on the major balances on the national economy requires that we get our economy out of dependence on oil revenues and focus on diversifying our sources of income through the extraction of wealth. We must adapt to the transformations by upgrading our economy and institutions and universities to the standards of excellence and global competitiveness, and at the same time maintain our approach in terms of social policy and national solidarity”.

“Youth should no longer consider their future in terms of the fluctuations of oil prices. We should draw the necessary lessons and reconsider the structural imbalances of our economy, which were the cause of the severe damage from the crisis that characterized the oil markets since 2014”.

“Algeria should not be satisfied with the role of the oil exporter, but must act with its national genius in order to impose itself as an efficient and competitive economic player”, the president said. 

“We will reduce our vulnerability to the turbulent fluctuations of oil markets and make the wealth of hydrocarbons a real tool for the development of our country”.

On the other hand, Bouteflika expressed his confidence that the influence of countries is now based on their ability to anticipate and compete their existing national economies on research and development. Only those who are capable of looking ahead and preparing for the future can survive.

In his letter, Bouteflika addressed the strikes in the education and health sectors that were launched for more than three months, asserting that workers must be accompanied by their conditional defense of their rights by their duty to perform their work and asked workers to be vigilant and committed at this important stage of national development. 

“Algeria will never give up its policy of social support and national solidarity”.