Cabinet reshuffle in Algeria to cope with financial crisis

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Saturday has conducted a cabinet reshuffle by changing six portfolios, including finance and energy, President Office said in a statement.

The reshuffle has been made through a presidential decree "in conformity of the clauses of Article 79 of the Constitution and following consultation with Premier Abdelmalek Sellal," the source notes.

Noureddine Bouterfa, former CEO of the state run gas and electricity group Sonelgaz, replaces Salah Khebri as Minister of Energy. Minister of Finance Abderahmane Benkhalfa has left office and been replaced by former Deputy Minister for Budget and Forecasting Baba Ammi Hadji.

The reshuffle also established a new portfolio, namely Delegate Minister for Digital Economy and Modernization of Financial Systems, held by Boudiaf Mouatassam.

The sectors of transport and public works have been united under one ministry assured by Boudjemaa Talai, former Transport Minister.

Amar Ghoul has also left the Ministry of Tourism, replaced by Nouri Abdelwahab.

Chelghoum Abdeslam replaced Sid Ali Feroukhi as Minister of Agriculture, Rural development and Fisheries, while Abdelkader Ouali was appointed Minister of Water Resources.

It is the fifth reshuffle since the establishment of Abdelmalek Sellal's cabinet in September 2012. Observers believe the current economic crisis hitting Algeria after the fall of oil prices forced this reshuffle.

Algeria is struggling to get rid of full dependency on oil revenues. The government is set to launch a "new economic model" for the period 2016-2019.

According to Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, the country is heading gradually towards industrialization and building diversified economy by investing the oil revenues.

Hydrocarbons account for 93.52 percent of Algeria's total exports. It explicitly shows the full dependence of the nation on oil revenues to support national economy. Endit