Algeria to Implement New Foreign Trade Rules to Limit Imports and Promote Non-Hydrocarbon Exports

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has announced a sweeping overhaul of Algeria's foreign trade policy, focusing on limiting imports to essential products and boosting non-hydrocarbon exports. The reform, revealed on Sunday, includes the dissolution of the Algerian Export Promotion Agency (Algex) and the creation of two new agencies to manage imports and exports separately.

On June 1, the President introduced a set of reforms aimed at reshaping the country’s foreign trade landscape. The changes include tighter controls on imports, which will be restricted to essential goods only. The newly established agencies will be tasked with regulating these operations, ensuring they are in line with national needs. The President emphasized the importance of designing new legal frameworks to guide the reforms, which he personally will oversee to eliminate past inefficiencies.

The key goal is to promote Algeria's non-hydrocarbon exports while preserving the country’s domestic production. New import control mechanisms, such as collective purchasing cooperatives, will also be put in place to provide better oversight. In addition, precise specifications will be established for importers and exporters, ensuring that the country's trade operations are clear and well-regulated.

With these measures, Algeria is taking significant steps toward achieving greater economic sustainability by focusing on essential imports and developing its non-hydrocarbon exports. President Tebboune’s direct involvement underscores the importance of these reforms, which are expected to shape the future of Algeria's foreign trade for decades to come.