President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune chairs meeting of Council of Ministers .(APS, 25/01/2024)

ALGIERS - The President of the Republic, Supreme Head of the Armed Forces, Minister of National Defense, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune chaired, Wednesday, a meeting of the Council of Ministers devoted to presentations inherent to several sectors, indicates a press release from the Council of Ministers. Ministers of which here is the APS translation:

"Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the Republic, Supreme Head of the Armed Forces, Minister of National Defense chaired, today, a meeting of the Council of Ministers devoted to presentations on the statutes and compensation schemes in the education sector higher, monitoring the progress of the oilseed crushing project (Kotama) in Jijel, and the progress of the Plowing-seeding campaign for the 2023-2024 season.

After the opening of the meeting by the President of the Republic and the presentation of the agenda and government activity for the last two weeks, and following the interventions of the Ministers, Mr. President of the Republic gave the following instructions and directives:

First of all:

- The Council of Ministers approved the presentation by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research on the statuses and compensation schemes of civil servants belonging to specific bodies in this sector.

Secondly:

Regarding the presentation given by the Minister of Industry and Pharmaceutical Production on the progress rate of the oilseed crushing project (Kotama) in Jijel:

- The President of the Republic affirmed that this project for which the State has made great efforts, will enter the effective production phase next June, which will constitute significant added value for national production capacities and supply of the oil market.

- Mr. President gave instructions to coordinate among all government sectors and develop a coherent vision for the exploitation of oilseed residues in fodder production, giving priority to the National Food Board livestock (ONAB) and private cooperatives in the wilaya of Jijel.

- Establishment of pilot farms for the cultivation of oilseeds, in order to control the entire production chain, from farm to consumer, as part of the food security strategy.

Concerning the agricultural component of the said project, the President of the Republic ordered the Minister in charge of the sector to:

- Develop a new vision on pilot farms that is in line with the country's direction towards modernization, aiming to create integration and complementarity between Agriculture, Industry and all sectors of Government.

- All these procedures go towards guaranteeing food security by relying on national capacities, with a view to reducing imports and limiting the abusive use of foreign currencies.

Thirdly:

Regarding the presentation by the Minister of Agriculture on monitoring the progress of the Plowing-semailles campaign for the 2023-2024 season:

- The President of the Republic emphasized the imperative of supporting professionals in the agricultural sector, through the introduction of cutting-edge techniques and changing mentalities, capable of generating wealth in this strategic area on which the State relies as part of the development of the national economy.

- Need to increase the yield of cereal production per hectare, to encourage farmers through the valorization of the advantages granted by the State and to generalize the use of scientific means.

- Encourage agricultural investment in the South, where all the necessary conditions and potential are met, while accelerating the regularization of cases pending for years, under the land development file, by issuing certificates to the beneficiaries of ownership, in accordance with land reclamation legislation.

General guidelines:

- Mr. President praised the efforts made by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Minister of the Knowledge Economy, Start-ups and Micro-enterprises, as part of the combination of their efforts in terms of high coordination between the two sectors and for the economic dynamics created.

Finally, the Council of Ministers approved a direct contract for the expansion of the port of Annaba and the construction of a railway at the ore quay, given the urgent nature of the project.

At the end of the meeting, the Council of Ministers approved Decrees on appointments to senior state positions.