Rédaction Africa Links 24 with ania.b
Published on 2024-02-28 13:21:09
The recent inauguration of the Tindouf free zone, on the border with Mauritania, by the President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, marks a major turning point for commercial exchanges towards this neighboring country and West Africa. According to Samir Derradji, Director of bilateral trade relations at the Ministry of Commerce, this initiative benefits from strong political and economic support from the highest authorities of the State.
The ministerial representative emphasizes the strategic importance of the Tindouf free zone, which is likely to stimulate regional economic dynamics. He highlights the urgency of accelerating the establishment of the five free zones announced by the President, stating that they will strengthen Algeria’s integration into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the countries of the Sahel.
Currently, commercial exchanges with Mauritania remain limited to around 5%, due to various internal and external obstacles. However, the Tindouf free zone is seen as a pilot opportunity to diversify exchanges and stimulate the regional economy.
The establishment process of the free zones is progressing with the finalization of a decree and with special attention to the Tindouf zone to make it operational as soon as possible. Meanwhile, infrastructure such as the trans-Saharan road is being built to facilitate commercial exchanges to West Africa.
Regional economic integration: challenges and opportunities
Algeria’s integration into the AfCFTA is a crucial step to boost economic exchanges with Africa. However, economic disparities between African countries delay its implementation. Algeria also aims to strengthen cooperation with Mauritania through preferential agreements.
In addition to free zones, other initiatives are being taken to boost exchanges with Africa, such as joint cooperation commissions, active business councils, and border committees. The establishment of showrooms and banks in some African countries also aims to intensify exchanges.
Furthermore, identifying logistical challenges that hinder integration into the African market is underway, and to gradually overcome them, investments in air and sea transport as well as improvements in port infrastructure are necessary. With the resolution of these obstacles, significant growth in exchanges with Africa can be expected in the coming year.
In conclusion, the inauguration of the Tindouf free zone represents a significant step towards closer economic integration with Mauritania and West Africa. With a proactive approach and efforts, Algeria is well positioned to strengthen its presence in the African market and diversify its economy.
Read the original article(French) on Algerie 360
