Brussels, 17/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - In readiness for opening up the Algerian market in compliance with the association agreement with the EU, the Algerian Ministry of Trade organised a regional seminar for heightening economic operators' awareness of competition rules, held in Sétif (in the east of the country) on 10 July. A similar seminar was held in Algiers in June this year.
It is important to note that such action coincides with Algeria's stated resolve to show greater flexibility in talks with the EU for reviewing access to its market for European products and companies. Mourad Medelci, Algerian Foreign Minister, announced on Monday during a meeting with his French colleague, Laurent Fabius, that talks underway with Brussels since 2010 have now practically reached completion. Brussels places emphasis on the fact that “practically” is the operative word, remaining cautious until the agreement has been officially signed and sealed.
On the subject of competition, seminars are being organised within the framework of “twinning” programmes (with the intervention of specialised bodies from EU member states that are briefing the Algerian administrations and operators concerned on their own experience). Their aim is to heighten the awareness of economic operators and consumer protection associations to competition law. Algeria is thus committing itself to tackling its lack of competition culture when it comes to the economic environment, and to overcoming economic players' insufficient command of competition rules. And then there is the fact that the informal market still carries weight in the national economy, which puts a brake on the free play of competition and hinders total market transparency. The aim is also to offset the lack of a normalised and effective system of regulation and market observation. This implies, moreover, making up for the lack of sufficiently qualified workers.
Algerians, however, play down the fact that they are lagging behind, highlighting the major steps already taken in recognising competition law and the diffusion of competition rules. Competition authorities would gain more and more importance in the country as the national market gains momentum. There is already a Competition Council called upon to fully play its role as market regulator and dispute settlement arbitrator and to ensure a knock-on effect in the direction of business and consumers. (FB/transl.jl)