The Algerian economy is to the data available from
- Service sector: approx. 33%
- Industry and trade: approx. 54%
- Agriculture: Agriculture: 13%
of added value.
The services are broken down into state and private in a ratio of 1: 2 (private approx. 20% – eg private telephone companies, state approx. 13%, eg telecommunications). Industry is about 35% oil and natural gas, 10% the construction industry (major state projects) and about 5% the rest of the industry (e.g. consumer electronics, chemistry, handicrafts).
Indicators
Basic statistical information can be found in the publications of the German-Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK). A very useful source of information are the reports and analyzes of the GTAI, which among other things has presented a compact, but at the same time detailed and up-to-date list of all important Algerian economic data.
Additional sources of information on the economic situation in Algeria can be found on the IMF website.
Agricultural
During the years of industrialization during the Boumedienne era and then during the civil war and Islamic terrorism, Algeria became heavily urbanized and agriculture fell into disrepair. Resuscitation is urgently needed.
The agricultural planning provides that agriculture in southern Algeria is developed above all; a five-year plan with considerable investment funds was put in place for this purpose. The dependence on imports, esp. of food, urgently needs to be reduced. Algerian agriculture is therefore faced with the need for a fresh start. Due to the sometimes excellent natural conditions, the potential here is particularly great to change from recipient to giver and profiteer.
However, it is questionable whether the problems can be solved through the use of money alone, as there is a lack of competence and technical know-how at the middle and lower management levels, both on the part of the authorities and on the farm production companies concerned to carry out the “Green Revolution” so understood. In addition, there are ecological problems associated with intensive farming.
Tourism
The tourism sector is – in comparison with Tunisia – unfortunately only poorly developed. Algeria affords the luxury of a tourism ministry almost without tourism – it is more about conceiving, planning and developing tourism; so one could speak of a tourism development ministry. There is general agreement that the country has great potential: approx. 1500km of beaches, mountainous and wooded regions as well as the huge desert areas with the archaeological sites.
According to ethnicityology, getting to Algeria is currently complicated and daunting for tourists who want to be courted and can choose between several alternative offers. Issuing a visa is tedious and uncomfortable; you are pushed into the role of the supplicant. Spontaneous trips such as to Tunisia are excluded, a tourist stay requires long and careful planning and preparation.
The hotels in Algeria date from the Boumedienne era and should rather serve to accommodate functionaries and their staff, for example for business contacts, professional or political events such as trade fairs or congresses. They are consistently unsuitable for tourist purposes.
A service culture that matches the non-existent tourism infrastructure is also completely lacking. The country has neither trained staff nor the mentality to get involved there on a large scale. Because of the oil and gas incomes, the country doesn’t need it either. In addition, the serenity (“reception culture”) required for a developed tourism in dealing with foreign cultures (accepting loose clothing, offering alcohol, etc.) is not sufficiently available.
Desert tourism can only play a minor role, as it is only suitable for a few people who have special skills, knowledge and interests for the desert regions and who carefully plan and prepare their stays. In addition, the safety of travelers there is currently not guaranteed.
