The Algerian province of Tizi Ouzou has been undertaking an industrial land cleanup operation for several months. The director of industry for the province, Moula Hamitouche, provided an update on the operation, highlighting the current state of industrial zones and investment in the region. Tizi Ouzou has 17 activity zones and one industrial zone, covering a total area of 326 hectares. The province also has three new activity zones, including the Souama industrial park, which spans 327 hectares.
According to Hamitouche, the province has received 1,353 investment requests since 2011, with 963 dossiers treated and 355 validated. This resulted in 319 concession authorizations being granted, with 252 allocated to industry, 37 to services, and 30 to tourism. The total investment value for these projects is 97 billion Algerian dinars, with a total area of 207 hectares and an estimated 18,348 jobs to be created. However, only 157 acts have been established, representing 43 million dinars.
On the ground, 36 projects are currently under construction, valued at 13 billion dinars, and will be built on 25 hectares, creating 1,841 jobs. Thirteen projects are already operational, representing a total value of 6 billion dinars. However, several industrial zones are not yet viabilized or are in a poor state. The authorities have taken measures to improve the situation, including allocating 5 billion dinars for the viabilization of two activity zones, Draâ El-Mizan and Tizi Gheniff.
The management of these zones has been entrusted to the DUC, with a call for tenders launched and the recruitment of companies expected. The province has also requested funds for the compensation of expropriated individuals, with the aim of starting work on these zones, which cover 45 hectares. A diagnostic study has been conducted on existing zones, with a detailed report submitted to the ministries of Interior, Industry, and Finance.
The report has been subject to arbitration at the Ministry of Finance, with the province hoping to receive funding to address pressing needs. The total amount requested is 3.2 billion dinars. The issue of security in industrial zones has also been raised, with Hamitouche noting that this is linked to the broader issue of viabilization, including fencing, security personnel, and energy supplies.
The Souama industrial park project remains a concern, with a deliberation transmitted to the Ministry of Interior but no update on its status. The province remains hopeful that the project will be realized, as it would create jobs, spur development, and alleviate regional disparities. The cleanup operation has resulted in 70 notices being issued and 36 projects being annulled.
The authorities aim to create new opportunities for investment across the province, with five new micro-activity zones to be established in various communes. This move is intended to promote local development and provide a more equitable distribution of investment opportunities. The industrial land cleanup operation is part of a broader effort to revitalize the province's economy and create jobs.
Key points
- 70 notices have been issued as part of the industrial land cleanup operation in Tizi Ouzou.
- 36 projects have been annulled due to various reasons, including investors' failure to implement projects.
- The province has received 1,353 investment requests since 2011, with 319 concession authorizations granted.
