Demands for new list of “imported forbidden products”

Although the government has frozen banking domiciliation for cars importing since January, trade deficit has reached $5 billion in 3 months. A study conducted by the Association of Algerian Importers warned that it may be estimated at $35 billion by the end of 2016. This would be a record figure in the history of independent Algeria.

Chairman of the Association Ali Bey Nasri said the deficit increased compared to last year. He believes that the worst is yet to come as licences to import 152 vehicles will be granted soon.

“There is no additional measures to stop importing. The operation is now limited in essential products. This imposes to reduce the volume of imported goods or extend the list of importing licences,” he said.

He added that the January-February-March deficit was caused by the remarkable decrease in exports including energy products and fertilizers.

“This is not good,” he said.

He criticized the Algerian finance ministry for keeping silent over importers’ demand to amend the exchange law.