Developing the nation’s wealth more effectively :

Many sources of wealth can still improve their contribution to the nation’s sustainable development, either by using more effective ways of developing them or by increasing their profitability.

1.    Hydrocarbons and mines:

The Government will complete the legislative, regulatory and institutional mechanisms intended to attract national private investment and further develop foreign investments, both direct and through partnerships, in the hydrocarbon, energy and mining sectors, including activities such as those downstream of hydrocarbons and the production of renewable energies.
Appropriate measures will also be drawn up in a context of transparent dialogue to increase the cost effectiveness of oil production and develop the exploration of energy sources in the unexplored areas of our national territory.

Moreover, the Government will strive to adapt and modernise the port infrastructures intended for exports of oil and gas in order to support the development of production.

The Government will likewise pursue the programme of connecting up rural populations to the distribution networks of gas and electricity. The pricing system for electricity and gas will also be adapted to take into account the condition of underprivileged areas and citizens. It will also take on board the needs for growth and investment leading to sustainable economic added value in the following sectors: industry, small and medium-size enterprises, petrochemicals, agriculture, tourism and electricity for export.
Furthermore, a policy covering the margins on oil products will be put in place gradually in order to promote national and foreign investment, either direct or in partnership, in the distribution activities, and to favour the wider use of LPG and lead-free petrol for vehicles. Along with the opening up of the distribution sector, the Government will set up the appropriate institutions for economic regulation, control of industrial health and safety and protection of the environment.

Finally, the Government will pursue its efforts to protect and maintain the infrastructures of the hydrocarbon industry in order to guarantee the safety of workers and their environment.

2. Seawater desalination:

A large-scale programme to build large desalination plants is under way, based on a licensing system and aimed at semi-public companies and in association with the energy sector committing capital to projects.

The energy sector will continue to work in close collaboration with water utilities. The Government will study the possibility of the Treasury acquiring a share in the capital of semi-public companies involved in building and managing these stations in order to reduce the final cost of the desalinated water. Furthermore, the ongoing programme for small desalination plants will be completed as planned.

Rail infrastructures:

The national rail network still requires considerable inputs to extend, modernise and improve its infrastructures and improve their management.

 The portfolio of projects is a large one, covering:

i. the laying of the Redjem Demouche-Mecheria line,
ii. the prolongation of the Hauts Plateaux de Msila to Saida bypass via Ain Oussera and Tiaret,
iii. the southern loop of the Hassi Messaoud to Djelfa line via Touggourt and Djelfa,
iv. the modernisation of the line between Relizane and Tiaret,
v. the doubling and electrification of the line between Thenia and Tizi Ouzou as well as the east-west line in the north of the country.
vi. the renovation of the eastern mining line
vii. as well as the modernisation of the capital’s rail network.

When scheduling this short and medium-term programme it will be necessary to take into account all the national infrastructure programmes, including those in the water sector. It is also necessary to complete the studies for these projects and forecast any delay that might increase their costs once their implementation has begun.

Port infrastructures

A substantial programme for the maintenance and extension of our ports will be pursued each year and will increasingly involve the capabilities of management companies.
This programme will cover particularly:

i.: the maintenance and development of infrastructures,
ii.: the development and upgrading of oil ports;
iii.: the building and equipment of a second container terminal in the port of Algiers, as well as the extension of the terminal in the port of Oran, the building of a terminal for the transhipment of containers in the port of Djendjen and the construction of a multi-purpose terminal in the port of Bejaia.

The work on the modernisation of the ports will concentrate on:

i.: the setting up of port authorities,
ii.: the specialisation of quays,
iii.: the renovation and modernisation of the cargo handling and navigation facilities,
iv.: the generalised putting in place of modern management and information processing software tools;
v.: the codification and contractualisation of commercial relations between the port management companies, operators and users;
vi.: improving the reception conditions for passengers;
vii.: reinforcing the security and control of the port areas, including the generalised use of scanners.