Algeria’s Transition Process Could Become a Model for Other Countries
Algiers, May 12, 2017 - A World Bank Group (WBG) delegation of 10 Executive Directors completed a two-day visit to Algeria with the aim of better understanding the country’s context and development priorities, as well as assessing the quality of the partnership with the World Bank and potential for enhanced World Bank Group support. The Executive Directors, representing 100 out of 189 Member Countries of the World Bank Group, are on a regional tour in the MENA Region.
“As members of the World Bank Group's board of directors, we are currently visiting Algeria to get a better sense of the current dynamics, assess the World Bank’s interventions on the ground, and reiterate our support for Algeria’s ambitious new economic model” said Merza Hassan, the delegation’s spokesperson following their meeting with the Minister of Finance, Mr. Hadji Babaammi. “We are closely following Algeria’s implementation of its new Vision 2035 program because it could serve as model for several countries we are representing.”
The delegation commended the Government for its social achievements, including significant steps taken to improve the wellbeing of the Algerian people, eliminate slums, and reduce poverty more broadly. The delegation expressed its appreciation for Algeria’s 25 million dollar contribution to the International Development Association Fund, which is the World Bank’s main instrument to support the poorest and most vulnerable countries.
During their meeting with Prime Minister, Abdelmalek Sellal, the parties discussed the country’s recent economic developments, as well as measures taken by the Government to mitigate the adverse impact of the drop in oil prices, as oil revenues represents 96% of exports. M. Hassan stated in this context “We were able to discuss the Government's vision for a new development model based on improved economic diversification and on less dependence on hydrocarbons to accelerate growth and create jobs. We will provide Algeria with all the necessary support”.
During their two-day visit, the delegation also had opportunities to meet different stakeholders, including the Waly of Algiers and his team, aspiring youth entrepreneurs, and a number of world renowned female writers. The latter presented an opportunity to hear firsthand about the role of women in Algerian society, the evolution of women’s rights, and women’s labor force participation, while the discussion with youth entrepreneurs evolved around constraints and challenges they face in the business environment but also opportunities in Algeria today.
"Meeting with the country’s civil society, women and youth is always a very enriching experience for the World Bank. We encourage and value their voice and constructive contributions to the country. Their different perspectives are of particular interest to this very important and diverse delegation of Executive Directors, representing South America, Asia, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa," indicated Ms. Marie Françoise Marie-Nelly, Director for the Maghreb Countries and Malta at the World Bank.
The Executive Directors also interacted with ICT start-ups at the Sidi Abdallah Cyber Park and noted Algeria’s significant potential for tourism in the valuable cultural and historical assets through a visit to the Modern Museum of Art and the Kasbah.
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The delegation of the Executive Directors included: Mr. Omar Bougara (representing Algeria, Afghanistan, Ghana, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Morocco, Pakistan and Tunisia); Mr. Merza Hasan, Dean of the Board of Executive Directors (representing 11 Arab countries and territories from the Middle East as well as the Maldives); Mr. Seydou Bouda (representing Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Niger, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal and Togo); Mr. Otaviano Canuto (represents Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Philippines, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago); Mr. Kazuhiko Koguchi (representing Japan); Mr. Andin Hadiyanto (representing Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga and Vietnam); Ms. Christine Hogan (representing Canada, Ireland and the 11 Caribbean countries); Mr. Maximo Torero (representing Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay); Mr. Martin Poder (Alternate Executive Director representing Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway and Sweden); Mr. Gϋnther Schӧnleitner (Alternate Executive Director representing Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Turkey).
