In a lengthy interview granted to national media and broadcast on Saturday evening, the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, painted an ambitious picture of the country\u2019s economic transformation, placing industrial diversification and national independence at the core of his political vision.<\/p>\n
The head of state stressed that \u201cthe competitiveness demonstrated by several national industrial sectors in recent years has helped give strong momentum to Algeria\u2019s non-hydrocarbon exports.\u201d According to him, this progress reflects a dramatic turnaround in the country\u2019s economic situation. \u201cWhereas Algeria used to import rebar just a few years ago, it is now an exporter,\u201d he recalled, illustrating the ongoing transformation.<\/p>\n
Algeria is now \u201cmore competitive than some European countries in areas such as household appliances,\u201d President Tebboune asserted\u2014an indication of the ambition to reposition the country on the regional and international industrial stage.<\/p>\n
Automotive and Agribusiness Leading Diversification<\/strong><\/p>\n The automotive sector is a key focus of government hopes. The Fiat Algeria plant \u201cwill reach a 40% integration rate with an export-oriented approach,\u201d the president announced. The recent inauguration of a stamping plant in Batna province, which will produce car bodies and truck cabins, marks another step forward in upgrading national production.<\/p>\n \u201cThe honest private sector is making giant strides,\u201d Abdelmadjid Tebboune said, an unusual acknowledgment of the role of private entrepreneurs in economic development. The agribusiness sector is also gaining ground: \u201cAlgerian agri-food products are now in high demand everywhere, whereas many of these products were previously imported,\u201d he noted, adding that part of national production will be exported.<\/p>\n Phosphate: A Structuring Project for the Future<\/strong><\/p>\n The president also highlighted progress on the integrated phosphate project in eastern Algeria, a major strategic investment. \u201cWork is underway on the integrated phosphate project in Bled El-Hadba, where the phosphoric acid plant will come into operation by late 2026 or early 2027,\u201d he said. The project aims at \u201cexploiting phosphate at all stages\u201d and is expected to generate \u201ctens of thousands of jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n Algeria is also rich in many other \u201ccountless\u201d mines that will be exploited in the future, the head of state noted, justifying \u201cthe creation of a specialized ministry bringing together expertise and specialists to manage these resources.\u201d Mining projects, along with railway lines toward the South, are part of a \u201cnational vision\u201d and \u201cnot the result of chance,\u201d he insisted, recalling that they were among his campaign commitments.<\/p>\n Economic Independence Closely Guarded<\/strong><\/p>\n Beyond the announced successes, President Tebboune reaffirmed the core principles of his policy. \u201cWe strive to solve our problems ourselves because, in the past, no one stood by us when we faced hardships,\u201d he said. \u201cToday, we are able to address citizens\u2019 concerns without compromising Algeria\u2019s independence or its wealth, which belongs exclusively to the Algerian people.\u201d<\/p>\n This doctrine of sovereignty goes hand in hand with vigilance against economic malpractice. The president warned against certain practices in export activities, particularly under-invoicing. Cases of non-repatriation of export revenues amounting to $350 million have recently been identified. \u201cWe got rid of the \u2018issaba\u2019 that engaged in over-invoicing only to face another \u2018issaba\u2019 involved in under-invoicing,\u201d he lamented.<\/p>\n Regarding illegal commercial practices, the state \u201cwill not tolerate any harm to Algerians\u2019 livelihoods,\u201d he warned, adding that \u201canyone who speculates on Eid sheep will pay a heavy price.\u201d<\/p>\n Elections and Democratic Consolidation<\/strong><\/p>\n Ahead of the upcoming legislative elections on July 2, Abdelmadjid Tebboune assured that \u201call conditions are in place to guarantee the integrity of the electoral process.\u201d \u201cThe term electoral fraud no longer exists and is no longer part of Algerians\u2019 political vocabulary,\u201d he stated, while warning that \u201cany attempt to undermine the integrity of elections will face the law.\u201d<\/p>\n In response to reports of vote-buying and political endorsements, the president warned that \u201cany individual proven to be involved will face criminal prosecution, potentially leading to suspension, dismissal, withdrawal of confidence, and lifting of immunity through the Constitutional Court.\u201d \u201cThe law is clear and will be applied to \u0627\u0644\u062c\u0645\u064a\u0639. No one is above the law,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n On freedom of expression, the president reaffirmed that it is guaranteed in Algeria \u201cprovided that the laws of the Republic, the components of national identity, and the traditions of society are respected,\u201d and \u201cprovided that the expressed ideas are those of their authors and not dictated by other parties.\u201d He criticized \u201cthe double standards of certain countries that claim to be models of democracy while imprisoning those who express support for the Palestinian cause on social media.\u201d<\/p>\n The Pope\u2019s Visit: A Diplomatic Success<\/strong><\/p>\n The president described the visit of Pope Pope Leo XIV to Algeria as a \u201csuccess,\u201d viewing it as \u201can important step in strengthening relations between Algeria and the Vatican.\u201d He proposed to the pontiff the opening of a Vatican embassy in Algeria, a proposal that was \u201cfavorably received.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the visit \u201crefuted the myth of the former colonial power claiming to have created Algeria,\u201d highlighting that the Pope emphasized \u201cAlgeria\u2019s historical roots dating back to Saint Augustine and even earlier.\u201d It \u201cplaces Algeria in its natural position,\u201d that of \u201ca reliable intermediary it has always been,\u201d the president added, referring to its role in interfaith dialogue.<\/p>\n African Relations and Position on Mali<\/strong><\/p>\n Regarding the situation in Mali, President Tebboune expressed regret: \u201cWe are saddened by what is happening in Mali.\u201d He advised that \u201cthe path of reason is to engage in dialogue with its people,\u201d while stressing that \u201cAlgeria has never interfered and will never interfere in the internal affairs of Mali or other countries.\u201d \u201cAlgeria has always been a brotherly nation to Mali,\u201d he insisted, noting that \u201cthe Algiers Agreements are a Malian matter, not an Algerian one.\u201d A.B<\/p>\n On Algerian-American relations, the president stated that they \u201chave always been good\u201d and continue to improve, while reaffirming that Algeria will never abandon its allies such as Russia and China. He emphasized that Algeria remains a non-aligned country that rejects any foreign military bases on its territory.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"