Foreign Trade: Rezig Unveils Sector Performance
Speaking at the Council of the Nation, Minister Kamel Rezig unveiled non-hydrocarbon exports reaching $5.16 billion and announced the completion of the Tindouf free-trade zone by late 2026.
Addressing an oral question session at the Council of the Nation, Minister of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion Kamel Rezig presented a detailed assessment of the sector's performance, highlighted by rising non-hydrocarbon exports, steady growth in date exports, and the completion of the Tindouf commercial free-trade zone.
Official figures shared by the minister show sustained momentum in non-hydrocarbon exports, which reached $5.16 billion by the end of 2025, representing an increase of nearly $972 million compared to the previous year. To consolidate these gains, the ministry is implementing a strategy centered on modernizing export infrastructure, streamlining operations for exporting companies, and supporting high-potential sectors such as agrifood, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and digital services. Notably, the Special Export Promotion Fund (FSPE) processed 3,900 corporate applications in 2025 for financial support covering international transport and trade fair participation costs.
Reflecting this export drive, the date industry demonstrated solid progress in international markets, with export revenues rising from $78.06 million in 2024 to $98.32 million in 2025, representing 115,600 metric tons, while the first half of 2026 generated nearly $75.04 million. Concurrently, Rezig reassured industrial operators regarding the continuous supply of imported raw materials for the plastics and packaging sectors, noting that active importers in this field grew to 2,255 in 2025, ensuring production stability while protecting local manufacturing interests.
On infrastructure, the minister confirmed that the Tindouf commercial free-trade zone will be received before the end of 2026. Spanning 200 hectares near the Mauritanian border, the facility features six large warehouses, exhibition spaces, and integrated administrative, banking, and customs services. Its operational launch now awaits final regulatory approval, with a draft executive decree establishing a public entity to manage national free-trade zones currently under review at the General Secretariat of the Government, paving the way for expanded trade across West Africa.
Wissem Chergui
