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ALGIERS— In a decisive move to safeguard national financial reserves and foster economic self-reliance, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has issued a series of executive directives aimed at drastically reducing the country’s import bill.
The instructions, delivered during the latest Council of Ministers meeting, underscore a strategic shift towards prioritizing local manufacturing and restricting the influx of non-essential foreign goods. President Tebboune emphasized that lowering import dependency is not merely a fiscal necessity, but a cornerstone of Algeria’s economic sovereignty.

Key Directives Issued by the Presidency:

• Rationalization of Imports: The President ordered a rigorous review of import licenses, mandates, and quotas, ensuring that foreign procurement is strictly confined to essential goods and raw materials that cannot currently be sourced domestically.
• Empowering Local Industries: Government sectors have been instructed to provide unparalleled support to national manufacturers, SMEs, and startups to fill the supply gaps in the domestic market.
• Combating Invoicing Fraud: Tightened regulatory oversight and stricter customs auditing will be implemented to counter over-invoicing practices, which have historically drained foreign currency reserves.
• Inter-Sectoral Coordination: A mandate was established for closer cooperation between the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry, and financial institutions to streamline the transition toward import substitution.
  Economic analysts view these directives as an accelerated push toward structural economic reforms. By tightening control over foreign expenditures, the Algerian government aims to stimulate domestic investment, generate sustainable employment opportunities, and build a more resilient, diversified economy capable of withstanding global market fluctuations.

Today, Sunday, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Minister of National Defense, is chairing a Council of Ministers meeting. According to the Algerian Presidency, the agenda includes presentations on the national strategy for developing the petrochemical industry to produce raw materials, and monitoring the progress of sheep imports in preparation for the blessed Eid al-Adha. Furthermore, the meeting will follow up on the progress of the Bled El Hadba mining railway line and the Annaba Port expansion projects, alongside reviewing the status of the Algerian Water Company (Algérienne des Eaux) and overall water management.

🚨 #ElMouradia Palace 🇩🇿

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Minister of National Defence, chaired a Cabinet meeting addressing several presentations, including:

• The national strategy for developing the petrochemical industry to… pic.twitter.com/6kFBgJpeiF

— Algeria Gate -English (@algatedzEng) May 17, 2026

Algeria News Portal: Members of the Algerian Gendarmerie’s regional unit in Sidi Bel Abbès, in the country’s western Second Military Region, have arrested five people and seized more than 100 kg and 68 kg of processed cannabis from a lorry, according to a statement from the Algerian Ministry of Defence.

🛑 وزارة الدفاع الجزائرية🇩🇿: محاربة الجريمة المنظمة/ مواصلة للعمليات النوعية التي تنفذها وحدات الجيش الوطني الشعبي في إطار محاربة بارونات التهريب وتجار المخدرات، وبفضل الاستغلال الأمثل للمعلومات، تمكن يوم أمس 16 ماي 2026، أفراد المجموعة الإقليمية للدرك الوطني بسيدي بلعباس… pic.twitter.com/o8HUXXm9VQ

— بوابة الجزائر – Algeria Gate (@algatedz) May 17, 2026

Joint detachments of the People’s National Army in the Bechar military sector, in the third military region, also seized a significant quantity of hallucinogenic tablets, estimated at 238,506 tablets of the type Pregabalin 300 mg, according to the same source.

The statement adds that this comes as part of the fight against organised crime and is a continuation of the targeted operations carried out by units of the People’s National Army in the fight against smuggling barons and drug traffickers, thanks to the optimal use of intelligence.

Ministère de la Défense nationale #algérien 🇩🇿:
Dans la continuité des opérations qualitatives menées par les unités de l’Armée nationale populaire dans le cadre de la lutte contre les barons de la contrebande et les trafiquants de drogue, et grâce à l’exploitation optimale des… pic.twitter.com/N9hQosYMaX

— بوابة الجزائر – Algeria Gate (@algatedz) May 17, 2026

These operations also serve to reaffirm the commitment of all components of the People’s National Army to countering any attempts aimed at undermining the security and safety of citizens.

📌محاربة الجريمة المنظمة/ مواصلة للعمليات النوعية التي تنفذها وحدات الجيش الوطني الشعبي في إطار محاربة بارونات التهريب وتجار المخدرات، وبفضل الاستغلال الأمثل للمعلومات، تمكن يوم أمس 16 ماي 2026، أفراد المجموعة الإقليمية للدرك الوطني بسيدي بلعباس بالناحية العسكرية الثانية من توقيف… pic.twitter.com/QEUAMCHteg

— وزارة الدفاع الوطني الجزائرية (@mdnGovDz) May 17, 2026