President Tebboune Orders Major Tourism Allowance Increase, Anti-Speculation Crackdown, Infrastructure Boost, and Heightened Health Measures for Southern Regions During Council of Ministers Meeting

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | October 7th, 2024 — In a bold move to improve the quality of life for Algerians traveling abroad, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ordered a “significant” increase in the tourism allowance, underscoring his administration’s commitment to sweeping economic and social reforms. The announcement was made during the weekly Council of Ministers meeting on Sunday, where President Tebboune issued a series of wide-ranging directives aimed at tackling national priorities, including curbing price speculation, fast-tracking key infrastructure projects, and fortifying Algeria’s public health and education systems.

According to the official communiqué, this unprecedented increase in the tourism allowance will benefit citizens who travel abroad once a year, easing financial strain on Algerians engaging in international travel. The decision also extends to include additional financial support for pilgrims embarking on the Hajj and for students, both within Algeria and those studying overseas. These measures reflect the president’s strategy to alleviate economic burdens on citizens while reinforcing Algeria’s international engagement through education and religious practices.

Hardline Measures to Tackle Price Speculation

President Tebboune also issued firm orders to crack down on price speculation, particularly on essential goods. He called for the “immediate closure and revocation of commercial licenses” for businesses found guilty of unjustified price hikes, specifically targeting items, such as vehicle lubricants and locally produced goods like apples, which have been sold at inflated prices comparable to imported fruits. The president stressed that those engaging in exploitative practices would face “the harshest penalties” under Algerian law, making clear that profiteering in the face of economic pressures on households would not be tolerated.

To address the broader issue, Tebboune emphasized the urgent need to “accelerate Algeria’s economic development” by fostering domestic production and incentivizing private investment. These two pillars, he highlighted, are vital for long-term economic resilience, with a focus on innovation and self-reliance.

Ambitious Plans for the 2025 Budget: Housing, Employment, and Strategic Infrastructure

Addressing the 2025 Finance Bill (PLF), President Tebboune praised its structure, which notably avoids imposing new taxes that could negatively affect citizens. He instructed that the PLF be aligned with his government’s ambitious national development objectives, including the construction of two million new homes, the advancement of key projects in the energy and mining sectors, and the creation of 450,000 new jobs.

These goals are part of a broader strategy aimed at diversifying the Algerian economy and reducing its reliance on oil revenues. Tebboune reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing housing and employment opportunities for all Algerians, underscoring the importance of maintaining the social contract. To ensure transparent and efficient management of public funds, he called for the establishment of a National Agency for Budget Equilibrium, Foresight, and Planning, tasked with overseeing sectoral budgets to ensure spending is results-driven and aligned with national priorities.

Addressing Public Health Challenges in Southern Regions

In response to ongoing health crises in Algeria’s southern border regions, President Tebboune ordered heightened monitoring of diphtheria and malaria outbreaks affecting these areas. He directed health authorities to treat all individuals affected, regardless of nationality, in full compliance with Algeria’s public health protocols. Tebboune commended public health officials for their swift actions in reducing the number of reported cases, urging continued “vigilant control and immediate intervention” to prevent further spread.

Simultaneously, he underscored the critical importance of cybersecurity in Algeria’s national digitization efforts, warning that cyber threats are directly linked to national security. He called for stringent caution in the procurement of technological equipment to protect sensitive national systems from external interference.

Accelerating Major Mining Projects to Bolster Economic Growth

With Algeria’s mining sector poised for rapid expansion, President Tebboune issued key directives concerning strategic projects such as the Gara Djebilet iron mine, the Oued Amizour zinc and lead mine, and the Bled El Hadba phosphate mine. These projects, he noted, are essential for Algeria’s future economic sustainability. The president emphasized the importance of locating processing facilities near vital resources such as water, energy, and rail infrastructure to ensure the smooth operation of these projects once they become fully functional.

He reiterated the “critical importance” of timely execution, stressing that these initiatives are crucial for reducing Algeria’s dependence on imported raw materials and boosting its industrial capacity. Delays, he warned, would not be tolerated, as these projects are cornerstones of Algeria’s economic future.

Strengthening Standards in Private Education

Turning his attention to the education sector, Tebboune issued strict guidelines for private schools, mandating that they adhere closely to the national curriculum. He made it clear that deviations from the state-approved educational program would not be permitted, emphasizing that private institutions must operate as extensions of the public education system and uphold the values and standards of the Algerian state.

The president also called for performance contracts to be introduced for private schools, allowing for the monitoring of their success rates and contribution to the educational landscape. He further encouraged investment in specialized institutions, particularly those focused on the exact sciences, as part of a broader push to enhance Algeria’s human capital and position the country as a competitive player in the global knowledge economy.

President Tebboune’s latest reforms signal an unwavering commitment to addressing Algeria’s most pressing economic, social, and health challenges. By significantly raising the tourism allowance, clamping down on speculators, fast-tracking critical infrastructure projects, and tightening regulations in education and health, the president has outlined a bold and comprehensive vision for Algeria’s future.

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