Algeria

OBG introduces the reader to the different aspects of the legal system in Algeria, in partnership with Gide Loyrette Nouel. This chapter contains an interview with Samy Laghouati, Managing Partner, Gide Loyrette Nouel.

The Algerian media sector continues to remain relatively underdeveloped; however, a number of recent changes suggest the sector may be going through a transition period. Print media continues to hold a dominant role, with a total of 105 daily newspapers published across the country, and many publications shifting from French to Arabic. Although government advertising continues to be the main...

Access to health care is expected to improve as the government embarks on an ambitious programme of investment in health facilities. Between 2010 and 2014, the authorities plan to invest AD619bn (€5.69bn) to enhance the sector, with plans to renovate 320 health facilities and build 172 hospitals, 45 specialised centres, 377 polyclinics and 17 paramedical schools. In 2010 the government launched a...

Although the tourism sector currently makes up 2% of GDP and attracted nearly 982,000 tourists in 2012, the government hopes to raise the sector’s GDP contribution to 5% by 2015 and boost visitor numbers to 2.5m. The 2009 Complementary Finance Law introduced a number of fiscal incentives aimed at increasing sector activity, such as cheaper access to government land and better interest rates on...

Although Algeria has historically relied heavily on food imports to meet domestic demand, the agriculture sector has seen considerable growth since the 2008 introduction of the Agricultural and Rural Renewal Policy. Under the policy, production has grown by an average of 13.8% per year, with total output reaching $29.3bn in 2012. Despite this growth, however, food imports still accounted for 19%...

Major investments in a number of areas, such as transport, home construction and utilities provision are driving sector activity. The government is also planning a number of sector-specific initiatives, such as a plan to build 750 new hotels and create an additional 42 industrial zones throughout the country. Large-scale projects are attracting interest from both local and foreign firms. The real...