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Algeria

In 2002, Algeria signed an Association Agreement with the European Union in Valencia, Spain. It came into force on 1 September 2005. This trade agreement forms part of the EU-driven "Barcelona process", which aims to convert the Mediterranean basin in a giant free trade zone, under the EU’s dominant sphere of influence, by 2017. (The European Free Trade Association — Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — also wants an FTA with Algeria.)

In parallel, Algeria is being primed by Washington for a US FTA. This is part of the US’ own plan to create a US-Middle East free trade area, which would extend into the Maghreb, by 2013. Algeria already signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with Washington, a preliminary step towards a US FTA, in 2001.

For its part, the Algerian government has signed a free trade agreement with neighbouring Tunisia, has been a candidate member of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area and would like to secure FTAs with the West African Monetary Union and Iran. In December 2008, the government announced its decision to fully enter GAFTA on 2 January 2009, raising the ire of the business sector. The corporate chiefs felt unconsulted and bound to lose to the influx of cheaper goods from other Arab countries. Some even threatened to outsource production to other GAFTA states and export to Algeria instead of producing in Algeria. Algeria is currently in the process of joining the World Trade Organization.

last update: May 2012
photo: EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0


Algeria thaws trade relations with Spain
After a dispute that lasted more than 19 months, Algiers is reconciling with Madrid, starting with the appointment of a new ambassador. The resumption of trade relations between the two countries has not been long in coming.
Spain-Algeria trade deadlock raises business anxiety
Six months after Algeria cut ties with Spain following the dispute over Western Sahara, trade between the two countries remains paralyzed, much to the dismay of the worst-hit companies.
Algeria and China sign two agreements to strengthen bilateral ties
Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra and the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, He Lifen, signed on Monday two agreements to increase bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Barbados seeking to forge strong ties with Algeria
Possible areas of cooperation between the two countries include a double taxation agreement and a bilateral investment treaty.
Algeria, Libya plan to establish free trade zone
Algerian Minister of Trade Kamel Rezig announced a joint initiative with Libya to establish a free trade area.
Forum Economique Arabo-Hongrois : l’Algérie sera au rendez-vous
Le forum économique arabo-hongrois examinera les moyens de dynamiser les échanges dans plusieurs segments d’activités et d’élever le niveau des flux commerciaux
US wants to open talks with Algeria for Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
The United States wants to open discussions with Algeria on the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) signed by the two countries in 2001, said US Department of Commerce senior commercial officer for Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, Douglas Wallace.
10 years of building people’s power in Latin America
A South African anarchist reports on the 10th annual Latin American Encounter of Popular Autonomous Organisations (ELAOPA)
Algeria delays implementation of FTA with EU
Algeria has won a trade concession from the European Union, according to which the EU-Algeria free trade agreement should be fully phased-in by 2020, and not by 2017.
L’Algérie et l’Iran envisageraient un accord de libre-échange
Un accord de libre-échange entre l’Algérie et l’Iran dans un proche avenir ? L’information rapportée par la Fars News Agency reste imprécise et évoque un cadre plus général d’un accord de libre-échange entre l’Iran et les pays « africains musulmans ».

    Links


  • Algeria-Watch
    Le site contient un collection d’articles sur l’Accord d’Association Algerie-UE