列国鉴·阿尔及利亚｜记者观察：阿尔及利亚正经历经济转型之痛

Core Viewpoint - Algeria is undergoing a challenging economic transformation due to the significant reduction in foreign exchange reserves since 2014, driven by international oil price fluctuations. The government is actively seeking economic diversification through manufacturing upgrades, agricultural modernization, and tourism development, while implementing strict import restrictions to conserve foreign reserves and promote local production [1][4]. Economic Diversification Efforts - The Algerian government has initiated policies to diversify the economy, including high tariffs and import quotas to limit imports and encourage local production [1][4]. - The introduction of the import quota system in 2016 significantly reduced the annual car import volume from approximately 400,000-500,000 units to about 150,000 units [3]. Impact of Import Restrictions - The import restrictions have led to a shortage of consumer goods, causing prices to soar. For instance, a 500ml bottle of soy sauce costs 1,700 dinars (approximately 93 RMB), and a 5kg bag of rice is priced at 5,500 dinars (approximately 302 RMB) [2]. - The restrictions have also resulted in a significant increase in the prices of used cars, with a 2017 model now costing around 4.5 million dinars (approximately 250,000 RMB), nearly double the price from a few years ago [2]. Economic Recovery Indicators - From 2020 to 2023, Algeria's import expenditure decreased from $56 billion to $35 billion, a reduction of over 35%. Concurrently, foreign exchange reserves increased from $61 billion in 2022 to an expected $71.8 billion in 2024 [4]. - The local production capacity for everyday goods and home appliances has improved significantly, although shortages remain in sectors like automotive and high-end electronics due to a lack of mature supply chains and skilled labor [4]. Future Economic Outlook - The Algerian government is committed to continuing its economic transformation, with new measures announced in 2023 to support small and medium enterprises, reduce import tariffs on production materials, and increase investment in renewable energy [6]. - Economic experts believe that while short-term challenges like product shortages are unavoidable, a clear industrial development plan and supportive policies could lead to a healthier economic structure. The government anticipates GDP growth to rise from 4.2% in 2024 to 4.5% in 2025, with exports reaching $50.9 billion and imports at $46.07 billion [6].