Algerian Radio
The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion has drafted an executive decree for the creation of a public company responsible for managing free zones to be launched in certain border wilayas, the Minister of the sector, Kamel Rezig, indicated on Thursday. He specified that this project is currently with the General Secretariat of the Government.
During a plenary session at the National People's Assembly (APN) devoted to oral questions, chaired by Mr. Toufik Guezout, Vice-President of the APN, and in the presence of the Minister of Relations with Parliament, Nadjiba Djilali, and members of the government, Mr. Rezig specified that "the Foreign Trade sector is working on finalizing the regulatory framework relative to free zones through the drafting of an executive decree aiming to create a public company for the management of these spaces." He added that "this text is currently being studied and enriched at the level of the General Secretariat of the Government."
The Minister added that this text will allow for the creation of an Industrial and Commercial Public Establishment (EPIC) capable of guaranteeing "organized and efficient management, offering an environment conducive to economic operators and exporters in particular, while respecting public service obligations."
This regulatory framework is being finalized in parallel with the completion of the final stages of the first commercial free zone in Algeria, planned for the Wilaya of Tindouf.
The development project for this zone, supervised by the Algerian Agency for International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development (AICA), is experiencing "major progress," according to the Minister. He specified that its handover will take place during the year 2026, prior to the subsequent launch of other planned free zones with Tunisia, Libya, Mali, and Niger.
Responding to a question regarding the export of agricultural products, Mr. Rezig affirmed that "positive" results have been achieved in recent years, reflected in the evolution of the volume and value of exports, the expansion of the exporter base, and the diversification of exported products.
In this context, he highlighted the importance of participating in international fairs to promote Algerian products and integrate into new markets. He praised the importance of supporting exporters by covering participation costs for such events and a portion of logistics and transport costs through the Special Fund for Export Promotion (FSPE).
Presenting the FSPE report for the year 2025, the Minister stated that his ministerial department received, via the dedicated platform, a total of 3,900 files for the reimbursement of international transport costs and participation in international fairs. Of these, 1,757 have been effectively covered, and 443 others are currently being reimbursed.
The remaining files will receive reimbursement once the reservations have been addressed by the applicants, he added.
Mr. Rezig emphasized that his ministerial department is working, in coordination with the Finance sector and various economic actors, to reevaluate the Fund's management mode in anticipation of a transition toward "more efficient" support mechanisms.
