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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


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 ».
Iran, Algeria mull free-trade pact
Iran and Algeria are discussing signing a free trade agreement in the future, Mehr News Agency reported.
Algeria seeks free trade deal with West African countries
Algeria is working on signing free trade agreements with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) countries, the union said in a statement Monday.
Tunisian and Algerian businessmen discuss free-trade zone
Businessmen from Algeria and Tunisia are pushing for an FTA between the two countries
The European party agrees amending the Association Agreement
The EU says it will revise the its Association Agreement with Algeria, pointing out competition from China and enhanced ’security’ interests
L’accord bilatéral entre l’UE et l’Algérie reste bloqué
M. Mandelson a souligné que l’accord d’association, qui est "une base" de développement des relations bilatérales entre l’Algérie et l’UE, ne fonctionne pas bien actuellement.
Bilateral trade between Algeria, EU registers huge imbalance
Algeria has experienced a rapid increase of imports from, and low exports to, the other side of the Mediterranean after signing the Algeria-European Union (EU) association agreement in September 2005.
Netherlands signs investment agreement with Algeria
This is important for Dutch investors because the Algerian market is attractive for sectors such as energy and agriculture.
Algeria about to lose $5bn
The dismantling of customs tariffs on the entry of EU goods under the EU-Algeria association agreement is expected to cause to Algeria a five billion dollar loss in income and 500 000 jobs.
Algeria offers business opportunities for the US private sector
The U.S.-Algeria Business Council is working to bring U.S. investment and trade to Algeria to bolster Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s strategic decision to integrate his country into the global economy.

    Links


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