Ferrous wastes operators cause 300 billion losses

The Algerian province of Annaba (east of Algiers) lost more than 300 billion centimes following illegal activities carried out by foreign companies operating in ferrous and non-ferrous recycling.

• The operators are accused of law violation, tax evasion and illegal financial transactions.
• Earlier in June 2008, the Algerian trade ministry approved new specifications for operators in this field. The number of operators dropped to 27 from 225. The ministry said it had withdrawn accreditation from 198 operators specialised in importing and recycling ferrous and non ferrous metals.
• The ministry took this decision after a scandal had happened among the Algerian customs led then by the former director. Executives and customs agents were dealing with economic operators to conduct illegal activities. The suspects imported new equipments for factories and tracks engines but they made a false declaration to customs. This led to about 100,000 billion centimes losses in the public treasury.