Algeria reveals digital relaunch

Benhamadi: We need a competitive digital economy Algiers – Hocine Bousalah Algerian Post and Information Communication Technology minister, Moussa Benhamadi, has stressed the need for a "fertile technological ground" for economic establishments to enable them to fall in line with international standards in virtual economy." Speaking at the signing of a partnership agreement with the Ministry of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprise and Investment Promotion, Benhamadani said the implementation of "real partnership" between the IT and industry sectors in Algeria would require the establishment of a system to support and promote IT projects. This system, he said, would establish an IT community and "competitive digital economy." The minister added: "The agreement aims to promote creativity, innovation and competition for economic growth and development through introducing the digital language as a constructive transporter and moderniser in order to promote small and medium-sized industrial enterprises." "The partnership will lead to a comprehensive digital shift in the economic arena in terms of management, and the digitisation of small and medium-sized industrial enterprises. In addition, it will promote investment and develop industry, IT and telecommunication sectors." The Minister of Industry, Small and Medium Enterprise and Investment Promotion, Cherif Rahmani, said that enhancing the Algerian economy's ability to compete is among the objectives of the partnership. This, he said, will be achieved by merging the IT and telecom sectors and developing their industries and the active participation of private sector clients in this arena. Rahmani also said the partnership agreement will lead to the creation of a system that would collate and update strategic data, with a view to placing them online as a resource for investors.