Posts in category: aapi-en

November 23^th, 2024

As part of the implementation of the investment promotion program launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, in partnership with the European Union, entitled the Sustainable Investment Partnership, the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency, represented by Ms. Khechai Iman, Head of Studies, participated in a prospection mission to Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland from November 18 to 23, 2024. The aim was to strengthen Algeria’s attractiveness as a promising investment destination and attract European direct investments to Algeria.

The first stop was Hungary, where a business forum was organized at the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency. The forum highlighted the recent economic reforms in Algeria, particularly those related to facilitating and promoting investment and the land concession law.

In the Czech Republic, the European Union Delegation, in cooperation with the Czech Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organized a high-level seminar entitled ‘Incentives for foreign investment in Algeria’. The event was attended by the State Secretary of the Ministry of the industry and Trade, as well as Czech and Algerian companies.

In Poland, efforts focused on a visit to the Katowice Special Economic Zone , and how the workflow is organized and managed there . A field trip to the Roha Industrial Zone was conducted, including a tour of a leading aluminum manufacturing plant. The visit was used to highlight Algeria’s competitive advantages.

November 20^th, 2024

The Director General of the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency, Mr. Omar REKKACHE, received  On Wednesday, November 20^th , 2024, a delegation from the National Caravan “A Younth, an Idea”, led by its General Coordinator, Mr. Anis BEN TAYEB.

The meeting was an opportunity to present the Agency’s various services and explain how to acquire economic land, particularly for young entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises.

 On this occasion, the Director General praised the efforts of the National Caravan, which is empowered by its young talents, in promoting and supporting entrepreneurship. He also reaffirmed his full support for the caravan in achieving its set objectives.

November 19^th, 2024

As part of efforts to identify mechanisms and pathways to achieve the objectives set by the President of the Republic, particularly the achievement of 20,000 investment projects during his second term, the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency organized a consultative meeting with the Algerian Economic Renewal Council (CREA) and affiliated economic operators. The meeting was co-chaired by the Agency’s Director General, Mr. Omar REKKACHE, and the Council’s President, Mr. Kamel MOULA. 

The meeting, held under the theme “Improving the Investment Climate: Between Reality and Aspirations”, aimed to present a report on the Agency’s activities since its establishment. This included managing investment dedicated economic land. It also provided an opportunity to discuss requirements for achieving the outlined objectives, particularly those related to granting available land and identifying priority sectors to attract investments with high value added to the national economy in the short and medium terms. 

During the opening session, the Director General praised the positive and fruitful cooperation between the Agency and the Council, through the implementation of the partnership agreement signed in March of the previous year, which resulted in the organization of numerous meetings. He also applauded the quick responses to various issues raised by the Agency.

 The Director General also praised the significant dynamism observed in the registrations record at the Agency’s one-stop shops. In addition, he noted that this serves as evidence of the renewed confidence among investors in the genuine commitment of the President of the Republic to improving the investment climate and empowering companies, particularly private ones, to realize their investment projects.

The Director General showed confidence about achieving the goal of 20,000 investment projects – even before the expected deadline. The Agency, acting as the central pillar in the economic system connected to investment, will ensure effective coordination among all relevant authorities and their concerted efforts is essential, as each active sector in the equation must fulfill its responsibilities to achieve this goal.

According to the Agency’s Director General, this optimism is attributed to the number of projects registered over two years since the Agency’s establishment on November 1st, 2022, up to November 2024. The total reached 10,500 investment projects with a declared overall amount of 4,339 billion dinars. These projects are expected to generate more than 258,000 direct jobs, upon entering the operational phase 

More than 50% of these projects have already entered the implementation phase, according to preliminary results of a survey conducted by the Agency, which also revealed that over 8% of the projects have reached the operational phase, motivating the agency to share success stories

Mr. Kamel MOULA praised the Agency’s openness and effective communication with economic partners. He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to collaboration and emphasized the importance of restoring trust between authorities and investors, leveraging geopolitical opportunities to enhance Algeria’s position in African and global markets. 

For his part, Mr. Kamel MOULA appreciated this initiative, praising the Agency for its openness and effective communication with economic partners. He also reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to working closely with the Agency to highlight and convey the various needs of economic operators, which differ based on regions and sectors of activity.

Mr. MOULA also touched upon the importance of rebuilding trust between the authorities and investors, emphasizing the need to continue working to sustain this trust, and utilizing the present geopolitical context to solidify Algeria’s presence in African and global markets, as well as developing national products to achieve the dual objectives of reducing the import bill and increasing exports.

In a detailed presentation, the Director General highlighted the key activities undertaken by the Agency since its establishment to improve the services provided to investors, as well as the projects registered through the one-stop shops, and the outcomes of managing the economic land portfolio.

As part of managing investment dedicated economic land, he noted that the Agency had received 1,913 developed land assets with a total area of 2,191 hectares during the period from February 8th to November 14th, 2024, where land availability varies across Wilayas. Additionally, 782 land assets were displayed on the platform across 48 Wilayas, covering a total area of 1,100 hectares. The processing resulted in the granting of 461 land assets, while the total number of requests for the displayed assets reached 4,266.

Within the framework of addressing investors’ concerns, the Director General stated that the Agency had processed 1,182 requests related to the Investment Law provisions and examined 137 complaints regarding decisions for granting  economic land. He noted that the Agency had received 113 notifications of decisions from the High National Commission for Investment Appeals, the majority of which were dismissed for failing to satisfy formal criteria. In this regard, the Agency will enhance its efforts to clarify grievance mechanisms and ensure their effective implementation, aiming to uphold and protect the rights of investors.

As for the implementation of the provisions of the economic land Law No. 23-17, the Agency has begun processing investors’ requests related to the conversion of concession acts into cession. To date, the Agency has received 100 such requests. Additionally, the Agency has received 76 requests for prior authorizations concerning the cession of properties subject to the right of pre-emption. These efforts are part of the Agency’s strategy to improve the management of economic land and enhance procedures that contribute to facilitating investment projects.

In conclusion, the Director General emphasized that achieving the desired goal depends on meeting a set of requirements that involve the collaboration of various economic relevant authorities, including employers’ organizations as a driving force for proposals. These requirements are closely linked to the fundamental pillars upon which the restoration of trust among economic operators is built, particularly:

First: The legal framework for investment: While relevant authorities in the investment sector have expressed satisfaction with the stability of the legislative system, there is a pressing need for regular updates of certain implementing regulations.

Second: Simplifying and facilitating procedures: Particularly through activating the role of the one-stop shop, as it is impossible to fully achieve the concept of a unified window without granting greater authority to representatives of various administrations, especially regarding essential permits for conducting activities, such as building permits, operating licenses, and others.

Third: Enhancing the simplification of procedures related to granting bank loans, working to reduce loan costs, and increasing the volume of economy directed loans, particularly for the private sector.

Fourth: Supporting the Agency’s real estate portfolio and facilitating access to economic land by providing 40,000 hectares of developed land, with an average of 8,000 hectares annually over a span of 5 years. This will be accompanied by continued efforts to simplify the related procedures within the framework of transparency and integrity, ensuring the land is directed toward viable investments and serious, prepared investors.

November 10^th, 2024

The Director General of the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency, Mr. Omar REKKACHE, received on Sunday, November 10th, 2024, a delegation from the World Bank led by Mr. Nadir MOHAMMED, the Regional Director of the Prosperity Department for the MENA Region. The meeting, attended by executives from the Agency, aimed to explore and develop cooperation methods and mechanisms between the Agency and the World Bank Group in the MENA region.

During the meeting, the Regional Director praised the Agency’s efforts in promoting investments, supporting investors, as well as its work and significant role despite its recent establishment.

The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss the World Bank’s new business climate assessment system, Business Ready (B-READY), which replaces “Doing Business.” During the discussion, the Regional Director mentioned measures that could highlight improvements in Algeria’s investment climate and attracting foreign investments via the new assessment system.

On the sidelines of this meeting, certificates were awarded to the Agency’s executives who had received training as part of the World Bank’s technical support program for the Agency, following the strategic long-term vision project aimed at promoting investment in Algeria, which the Agency is currently working on developing.

November 7^th, 2024

The Algerian Investment Promotion Agency, represented by its Director, Ms. Habiba BOUGROUMI, Director, recently took part in the “Tourism Development and Investment Opportunities in Algeria” forum held in London from November 5 to 7, 2024. The forum was organized by the Embassy of Algeria in London in collaboration with the Algerian-British Business Council, in the sidelines of the 44th “World Travel Market” international exhibition.

The event brought together representatives from the Algerian Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, British tourism professionals, members of the Algerian community in the UK, and Algerian economic operators in the tourism sector.

Throughout the forum, discussions centered on Algeria’s tourism investment opportunities. Ms. Bougroumi’s presentation highlighted Algeria’s competitive advantages, priority sectors, and investment opportunities that align with the national economic goals. She also emphasized the guarantees and incentives available under the Investment Act and outlined the role of the Agency in supporting and guiding both foreign and domestic investors.

October 27^th, 2024

The Algerian Investment Promotion Agency, represented by Ms. Khaoula MOSTFAI, Head of Studies at the Agency, participated in the Algerian Products Exhibition in Doha, Qatar, from October 22^nd to 26^th , 2024.

On the sidelines of this exhibition, an Algerian-Qatari Business Forum was held on Wednesday, October 23^rd, 2024, with a significant participation of businessmen and investors from both countries. During this event, the Agency’s representative gave a presentation on the available investment opportunities and the facilitation that Algeria offers to both local and foreign investors.

October 25^th, 2024

As part of the ongoing implementation of the investment promotion program launched by the Ministry of_Foreign Affairs_and_the_National Community Abroad in collaboration with the European Union, entitled Sustainable Investment Partnership, the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency, represented by Mrs. Imane TOUMI, Director, participated in a prospection mission to Denmark  from October 22 to 24, 2024, aiming at attracting direct European investments to Algeria.

The mission was kicked off by a meeting at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to learn about Denmark’s strategy for investing in Africa. Several other meetings followed, with companies, professional organizations, and investment funds operating in the fields of mechanical engineering, well services, healthcare, food industries, renewable energy, construction materials, and mining. These meetings focused on providing a comprehensive overview of the recent updates and reforms to Algeria’s business climate, highlighting the guarantees and incentives outlined in the Investment Law, as well as explanations regarding economic land concessions granting through the digital investor’s platform, and investment opportunities in Algeria.

This sixth mission of its kind was marked by the participation of a delegation composed of the Agency’s representative, H.E. the Algerian Ambassador to Denmark, H.E. the Danish Ambassador to Algeria, representatives from the EU Delegation in Algeria, the Ministry of Industry and Pharmaceutical Production, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sonatrach and the Algerian Council for Economic Renewal (CREA), along with an expert from Ginger Sofreco.

October 20^th, 2024

The Director General of the Agency, Mr.Omar REKKACHE, received, on Sunday October 20^th, 2024, His Excellency the Ambassador of Hungary to Algeria, Mr. Goban   Levente SZARKA.

During this meeting, which was attended by executives from the Agency, investment opportunities in our country, as well as the intentions of Hungarian companies to invest in Algeria, particularly in renewable energies and agriculture sectors, were discussed.

Both parties agreed to explore the possibility of organizing a business forum and establishing relations of cooperation between the two bodies in charge of promoting investment in both countries.

October 16^th, 2024

In execution of the commitments made by the President of the Republic to support investment dynamics as one of the pillars of the strategy to strengthen and diversify the national economy, Mr. Brahim MERAD, Minister of Interior, Local Authorities, and Urban Planning, chaired a coordination meeting on Wednesday, October 16^th, 2024, at the Ministry headquarters. The meeting focused on the pace of investment at the local level and was attended by the Director General of the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency, as well as the Secretary-General of the Ministry and several Walis, along with officials from both bodies.

This coordination meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views and assess the progress made under the new investment system established by the President of the Republic. It also aimed to agree on practical measures to strengthen coordination and cooperation, enabling a tangible boost to investment dynamics in the short and medium term.

In this context, the Minister reiterated the utmost priority given by the President to encouraging investment and his ongoing directives to improve the investment climate at the local level. He emphasized the importance of doubling efforts and intensifying coordination to create optimal conditions for achieving the set goals. He also reaffirmed the commitment to fully support and accompany project holders who are creating wealth.

The Minister also praised the positive role of the Walis in accompanying this movement, whether through the process of clearing investment projects and removing obstacles, surveying available economic land, or reclaiming unused land plots. He further highlighted their initiatives aimed at promoting the attractive potential for both national and foreign investors, stressing the full readiness to support the Agency’s work to achieve the desired results.

For his part, the Director General of the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency, in his presentation on the pace of investment across the country’s wilayas, pointed out the positive boost, especially concerning projects aligned with national economic goals, such as reducing imports, encouraging the production of raw materials, and supporting innovation. He added that the current approach aligns with the principles of balanced development by directing investment initiatives according to local capabilities and the national economic map, thus ensuring the economic efficiency of projects while simultaneously enhancing local and national developmental gains.

October 14^th, 2024

In continuation of the Investment Promotion Program’s implementation launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad in collaboration with the European Union, the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency, represented by Ms. Imane AHLOUCHE, Head of Studies at the Agency, participated in a prospecting mission to Austria from the 9^th to the 13^th of October, 2024, aimed at attracting European direct investments to Algeria.

On the sidelines of this prospecting mission, the delegation, consisting of the Agency’s representative, the Algerian and the Austrian Embassies representatives, as well as experts from the GINGER SOFRECO consulting firm, attended the opening of the International Machinery Forum IMF24 held in Vienna. The purpose was to meet representatives of Austrian institutions and companies operating in the industrial and service sectors.

The delegation also participated in working sessions at associations and companies active in the food industry, renewable energy, and paper manufacturing sectors. These meetings focused on providing a comprehensive overview of the updates and reforms to Algeria’s business climate, including the guarantees and incentives outlined in the Investment Law, clarifications on the available economic land via the Investor’s Digital Platform, and a presentation of investment opportunities in Algeria.