Algeria postpones its access to WTO till next 2009
El Khabar, 23 september 2008
Though the bilateral and the multilateral negotiations between Algeria and its potential partners have progressed; Algeria has decided postponing its access to the World Trade Organization, WTO, till next year.
In this regard, Algeria has responded to the questions asked by its main partners as like the EU, the US, Argentina, and Australia. While several answers have been handed back to Algeria, as they replies have not been clear, especially those related to domains of agriculture and services, as well as the contradiction noted in the legislations adopted by Algeria.
Eventually, Algeria has decided postponing its access to the WTO, because of its incapacity to compete in three main sectors, namely: industry, agriculture, and services.
As Algeria’s agricultural and industrial commodities are imported, the import bill would, significantly, increase if Algeria adhered to the WTO.
The budget allocated for services sector, is ranging from $5, to 6 billions a year, which discloses incapacity of competition. Even the protectionism measures adopted by the Government are not as able as to secure the substantial sector once the services sector would be opened, numerous companies will be prone to bankruptcy.
23-09-2008
By H.S/Translation Section
