The draft law on hydrocarbons was approved on Wednesday at a meeting of the Government chaired by Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui, this text must be submitted at the next Council of Ministers, the Prime Minister's Office in a statement.
This draft law intervenes "in response to developments in the field of hydrocarbons, both internally and externally, after the law in force, promulgated in 2005 and amended in 2013, has proved its limits, in addition to some negative impacts on foreigninvestment production and drainage operations, as well as the increase the increase in national consumption every fifteen years, which will constitute a structural deficit between supply and demand in the national market, particularly in the gas sector by 2025-2030," the source said.
"Hence, the new draft law aims to achieve a stable legal, institutional and fiscal system that is conducive to a long-term investment in the hydrocarbons sector, without damaging national interests, especially since the 49/51% rule on foreign investmentin this sector has been maintained."
The law also attaches "great importance to Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) aspects, while ensuring compliance with the principles of sustainable development," said the same source.
"The exploitation of hydrocarbons must be carried out in an optimal way", able to take into account the reality of the country's underground resources, "which must be at the service of sustainable national development, of our energy security, able to preserve the social character of the State, said Prime Minister Nourredine Bedoui after praising the provisions contained in this hydrocarbons draft law.
"These are the supreme objectives that we are trying to achieve through these far-reaching reforms in the energy sector, driven by the national company Sonatrach," said the Prime Minister.
"The opening of this file at this time is part of the strategy adopted by the Government to rehabilitate the national economy and the various areas of activity in the interests of our country and our fellow citizens," he added.
"To this end, the Prime Minister has instructed the Minister of Energy to develop the national strategy accompanying the implementation of these reforms and submit it at the next Government meeting," the same sourcepoints out.
Approval of Organic Law amendment on Finance laws
"In this context, the Government has approved the amendment of Organic Law No. 15/18 of 2 September 2018 on finance laws, aimed at consolidating the stability of the tax system in the hydrocarbon sector," according to the source.
Moreover, the Government listened to two presentations made by the Ministries of Interior and Agriculture on four (04) private contracts with the Algerian Mercedes Benz Vehicle Manufacturing Company (SAFAV) for the acquisition of 186 fire-fighting tankers, for the benefit of the General Directorate of Civil Protection, as wella as 80 fire-fighting tankers and 53 4x4 light vehicles for the benefit of the General Directorate of Forests, said the same source.
This operation aims to strengthen national capacities to fight forest fires and preserve forest heritage," concluded the Prime Minister's Office.
