The outputs of the government meeting – the Algerian dialogue

This Wednesday, January 4, 2023, the Prime Minister, Ayman bin Abdul Rahman, chaired a government meeting, which was held at the government palace. During its weekly meeting, the government examined the following points:

In the field of justice:

The government examined a draft law amending and supplementing Law No. 04-18 of December 25, 2004 relating to the prevention of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and the suppression of their illicit use and trafficking. It was submitted by the Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals.

This draft text aims at consolidating the national strategy in this field and strengthening treatment measures as well as protecting and caring for victims, especially by establishing special protection for pharmacists and further tightening the criminal penalties applied to perpetrators of crimes related to trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

As for the preparations for the holy month of Ramadan for the year 1444 AH / 2023 CE:

The government listened to a joint presentation by the ministers in charge of the trade, interior, energy, national solidarity, agriculture, irrigation, fishing and postal sectors, on preparations for the holy month of Ramadan. This presentation highlighted the measures taken and the arrangements adopted to:

1- Ensure an abundance of foodstuffs and agricultural products at reasonable prices and a regular supply to the market;

2- Adapting the regulation and monitoring of markets in order to respond to the requirements and needs of citizens during this holy month and to strengthen the fight against speculation;

3- Ensure the continuity and quality of services provided by vital public utilities to citizens across all regions of the country, especially those related to the supply of drinking water, energy and others.

And in the field of energy:

The Minister of Energy and Mines made a presentation that includes developing a strategy on energy mixing.

In this context, and in order to keep pace with the transformations taking place in the global arena in the field of energy, as well as the disturbances that have occurred or those that are expected, whether at the level of energy demand or supply on the one hand, and to ensure energy security and transition in line with the requirements of economic development on the other hand, the state has legislated In the process of in-depth thinking about all the factors for including the energy mix in the national energy system.

This endeavor aims to contribute to the country’s energy diversification, preserve traditional non-renewable resources, and enable Algeria to access advanced technologies in order to ensure the country’s energy security in the long term.

Finally, in the field of agriculture:

The Minister of Industry, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Minister of Trade and Export Promotion made two joint presentations on: (1) the results of the process of counting the production of grains and dry legumes, (2) and the results of the process of counting food storage capacities. In this regard, an evaluation presentation was made on the conclusion of the Harvest and Lesson Campaign 2021/2022, on the production of dry legumes, as well as on food storage capacities.

The evaluation of these census operations aims to provide a map of the national production and food storage capabilities, which falls within the framework of the strategy for the development of strategic agricultural branches.

Accordingly, this assessment will allow verification of the results achieved in the field of implementing actions and programs aimed at strengthening the bases of food security, especially those related to expanding agricultural areas and improving their yields, in order to enhance the regular supply of the national market with widely consumed foodstuffs and reduce imports.