Commerce minister: US worried as exports to Algeria are decreasing

Algerian commerce minister Bakhti Belaib said new measures will be taken to make imported products price including cars in conformity with international market prices. “I signed exporting licences for cement, iron and cars. Cement crisis will be ended. A huge program is scheduled to eliminate informal markets. Distribution organization will be tackled next week,” he told Echorouk in an interview.

Your Excellency, you had met US Deputy Political Affairs State Secretary Tomas Shanon. What did you talked about? What are the economic partnership perspectives between the two countries?

Indeed, an important meeting was held with the US official. We wanted to know about all the economic and commercial cooperation aspects between the two countries. Oil resources have shrunken. We are searching for new investment opportunities from US enterprises in Algeria. This aims at developing national economy and end oil dependency. Anyway, the most important partnership fields are investing in pharmaceutical industry in Algeria. The US official showed a big motivation to invest in cars making. He also said his country is interested in operating in mines. Now, Americans are aware that their purchased products from Algeria decreased although we still import large quantities of medicines and electronic devices. Because of that, they wanted to know why is that.

What about importing licences issue which raised a large controversy in the last few months?

So far, three items have been integrated in the list of banned products only upon a licence. The list includes cars, iron and cement. They will not be offered for sale only upon a licence. This is our first experience. The list was fixed by the industry ministry. It took in consideration national capacities and production quantities inside local market. It is also behind quotas which are not definitive. They can be extended at any time if necessary. Quotas can be not sufficient. This would need to open new quotas to fund market. We can not forbid importing products missing in market.

What about cement crisis. The price exceeded all the red lines in the last few weeks. Are there any measures to regularize market?

Cement distribution licences will enable to open door to importing this week. Speculation will be ended and prices will be stabilized. Cement crisis came at the same time with the closing of some plants. Because of that, the market experienced an unprecedented shortage. The market will be stabilized this week. People do not have to be worried. Sufficient quantities will be injected to cover deficiency. Importing cement quota will be determined in accordance with market needs. 

You said you talked with agriculture minister Sid Ahmed Ferroukhi to integrate 5 new agricultural items in the list of products banned from importing only upon a licence.  Did you receive the list? If yes, what does it include?

We have not received the list yet. The agricultural ministry is working on it. It can be sent to us soon. Anyway, we are examining new items. They include animals food and some agricultural products. Our objective is to rationalize and reduce imports.

Months ago, you said the government planned to hold talks with China about borrowing money. Are talks still underway to get this loan?

This issue raised too much noise. Asking for a loan is not a crime. Even the US have debts. I believe that the secret of their economic growth is based on debts. Borrowing money is not crime if it is intended for serving the nation and meeting its needs.