Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, affirmed Algeria’s commitment to fostering investment and localizing technology within the energy and mining sectors. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of sector officials on Saturday, Arkab highlighted the significant progress achieved in recent years, attributing it to the President’s strategic vision prioritizing energy security and national resource sovereignty.
“We will continue to encourage investment, promote technology localization, develop national industries for equipment and facilities, and strengthen effective partnerships with both national and foreign institutions,” Arkab stated. He emphasized the ministry’s focus on digitalization as a tool for transparency, accuracy, and expedited processing across production, transportation, and distribution, ultimately improving engagement with stakeholders and investors.
Arkab outlined a new vision for the mining sector, emphasizing the rational and sustainable exploitation of resources, expansion of the investment base, and development of national value chains. This vision is underpinned by a new legal framework designed to enshrine transparency, efficiency, and streamlined procedures.
“Draft regulatory texts specific to each sector are being prepared and will be published soon to ensure clarity of tasks and precise integration between central and local structures, as well as their affiliated public institutions,” he added.
The Minister stressed that the reorganization of the hydrocarbons and mining sectors is based on the principle of specialization and efficiency, acknowledging the technological, financial, commercial, and geopolitical complexities of the hydrocarbon sector. This necessitates high-level expertise, continuous monitoring, and the ability to adapt to the rapidly evolving global oil and gas markets.
Desalination of seawater, Arkab noted, is a strategic priority due to its crucial role in ensuring water security and supporting industrial and agricultural development. The ministry aims to develop national capabilities in this area through partnerships with specialized institutions.
Arkab concluded by urging sector executives to maintain their determination, accelerate the pace of progress, and enhance coordination between state structures and major national institutions. The Minister highlighted the importance of a cohesive and efficient approach to achieve the nation’s goals in the energy and mining sectors. These efforts are aimed at securing Algeria’s future prosperity and resource independence.
