Foreigners not happy about Algeria’s importing licences

A number of foreign countries still express dissatisfaction over importing licences imposed by the Algerian commerce ministry.

Chief of Algerian Exporters’ Association Ali Bey Nasri said all the countries in the world use importing licence to reduce commercial balance deficit. Of them, there are the US, Asian and European countries.

“Those licences were created by World Trade Organization. Their implementation is highly linked to any nation’s financial capacity. Algeria’s financial revenues fell by $25 billion in 2015. Because of that, it should reduce its expenses to reach balance,” he added.

He believes that European countries and even the World Trade Organization (WTO) can not oblige Algeria to import their products. “Importing reality in Algeria will be based on the State’s budget this year. The current measure is no more than a defensive policy.”

He also said European countries see Algeria as a « bag full of dollars.”