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Algeria and the IMF



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Finance & Development
A quarterly magazine of the IMF
June 2008, Volume 45, Number 2


Country Focus


Algeria

Algeria has managed its hydrocarbon wealth soundly, achieving strong growth and macroeconomic stability. It must now deepen market-oriented reforms, especially in the financial sector, to diversify the economy and further reduce unemployment.

Algeria's recent vigorous growth has been driven by higher hydrocarbon production and accelerating activity in services, construction, and public works.With high job creation in the nonhydrocarbon sector, unemployment has been halved, although it remains high among youth.

The exchange rate is managed flexibly and, although food prices are rising, overall inflation is under control.

Record-high oil prices have translated into huge current account surpluses, soaring foreign reserves, a significant drop in foreign debt . . .

. . . and strong budget surpluses&#mdash;despite an ambitious public investment program undertaken to tackle pressing infrastructure and social needs.

Algeria's top priorities include boosting productivity and diversifying the economy away from hydrocarbons.