Finance minister: 2016 will be a serious turning point for Algeria’s economy

Algerian finance minister Abderrahmane Benkhalfa Tuesday said the year 2016 is a serious turning point in national economy due to decreasing oil price. “This situation leads us to seek alternatives in cooperation with everyone and to change laws and attitudes,” he believes.

“It is time to bring back national economy’s strategy as oil revenues are falling. This strategy would aim at maintaining growth pace. Customs have efficient role in protecting national economy,” the minister said in an assessment meeting about customs strategic plan 2016-2019.

He stressed the necessity of modernizing, reorganizing customs and reinforcing its human resources to keep watch on daily flows. “This mechanism would enable us to jump to developing economy.”

Customs General Director Kaddour Bentahar presented the strategic plan, saying it is ambitious and aims at deveopping customs.  

He added that customs are in a new phase of modernization program amid many complex challenges.

The plan includes seven main points: reorganizing customs organigram, reassessing human resources management, reinforcing surveillance tools, revising customs procedures, developing technologies and improving communication.