President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika : Algeria in secure position despite low oil prices. (APS)

LONDON (Great Britain)- President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika said the economic measures taken by Algeria put the country in a secure position in spite of the drop in oil prices.
"The measures that we have taken in recent years have put us in a secure position, and despite the low oil price environment that has persisted since mid-2014," the head of State said in an interview granted to Oxford Business Group, published in its latest report on Algeria.
President Bouteflika disclosed that Algeria "is among the few hydrocarbon producers that continue to see job creation and economic growth which reached 3.9% in 2015."
"The number of investments recorded in the last three years represents 70% of total investments since 2002, and some 24.386 projects were launched between 2013 and 2016."
The head of State, however, noted that "there is a clear awareness that commodities can no longer be the base of our socio-economic development, even if oil prices rise in the future, they will not cover all our economic needs," hence the "need to react and employ the necessary strategies to ensure a brighter future."
To deal with such an eventuality, Algeria has created a new economic growth model with "budgetary strategies for the short and medium term."
The budget framework "takes the current economic environment into account but continues to offer special support for the disadvantaged and has the development of an emerging market economy as a central aim," President Bouteflika said.
"Actions will be taken for further socio-economic development, accelerate the diversification of our economy and strengthen social programmes without additional economic costs."
"Tax and budgetary reforms will also further growth and promote sustainable human development," he underlined.
President Bouteflika mentioned some fields that can be future drivers of growth, citing industry, agriculture, energy, petrochemicals, tourism and the knowledge economy."
"Partnerships and investment in these areas will be encouraged and supported through a variety of financial and tax incentives."

National community abroad: Entry to Algeria with ID card extended to 31 October.(APS)

PARIS-The facility of entering Algeria upon presentation of a foreign passport and an national identity card for the benefit of Algerian nationals abroad, who have not yet received their biometric passports, has been extended to 31 October, Algeria's Consulate in Paris told APS.
"As part of facilitations for the national community abroad, the measure enabling persons with dual nationality enter the Algerian territory upon presentation of a foreign passport and an Algerian ID card has been extended to 31 October 2016," the same source said.
Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ramtane Lamamra had announced this decision in last May, on the occasion of the inauguration of the new headquarters of Algeria's Consulate in Creteil, without setting deadlines.

President Bouteflika conducts partial Cabinet reshuffle.(APS)

ALGIERS- President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Saturday conducted a partial reshuffle of the government chaired by Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, said the Presidency of the Republic in a release.
"In conformity with the clauses of Article 79 of the Constitution and following consultation with the Premier, President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Minister of National Defence has promulgated a presidential decree providing for a partial cabinet reshuffle," said the same source.The reshuffle mainly concerned two major ministries, namely those of Energy and Finance.
Regarding the Energy Ministry, Noureddine Bouterfa, CEO of Sonelgaz Group replaces Salah Khebri who leaves the government.
Baba Ammi Hadji, who served as Deputy Minister for Budget and Forecasting becomes Minister of Finance, replacing Abderahmane Benkhalfa, who also leaves the government.
The government also welcomes a new portfolio held by Deputy Minister to Minister of Finance for Digital Economy and Modernization of Financial Systems Boudiaf Mouatassam.
The reshuffle concerned the following ministries and ministers:
- Baba Ammi Hadji, Finance Minister:
- Bouterfa Nourreddine, Energy Minister
- Nouri Abdelwahab, Minister of Town Planning, Tourism and Craft Industry:
- Chelghoum Abdeslam, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries
- Talai Boudjemâa, Minister of Public Works and Transport:
- Ouali Abdelkader, Minister of Water Resources and Environment:
- Eddala Ghania, Minister of Relations with Parliament
- Boudiaf Mouatassam, Deputy Minister to Minister of Finance for Digital Economy and Modernization of Financial Systems.