Economy

Having weathered the global economic crisis relatively easily and avoided most of the political turmoil that affected its neighbours during the Arab Spring, Algeria has continued along a steady path of economic growth and social development. In 2012 the country’s GDP reached AD15.84trn (€145.73bn), a 3.3% increase over the previous year. Algeria’s considerable oil and gas reserves, accounting for more than 60% of government revenues, have provided the authorities with sufficient fiscal flexibility to embark on major spending projects in nearly all sectors and subsidise key products such as fuel and food. Despite the economic growth, the expanding population and rising consumption are driving up unemployment and inflation. This chapter contains interviews with Karim Djoudi, Minister of Finance; Mustapha Benbada, Minister of Trade; Mohamed Seghir Babes, President, National Economic and Social Council; Réda Hamiani, President, Algerian Business Leaders’ Forum; and a viewpoint with Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, IMF.