Industry: “The sector's contribution to GDP is around 10%.”

This is the resolutely optimistic picture painted yesterday by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, before members of both houses of Parliament gathered at the Palais des Nations Club des Pins. At the heart of his speech on the country's economic situation, described as a "crucial phase", was a symbolic announcement: the national industrial sector's contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) had returned to "around 10%". This figure was presented as the result of a deliberate policy of recovery after years of paralysis. "We have brought the industrial sector's contribution to GDP back to around 10%, after deliberately reducing it to 3%," said the Head of State, acknowledging with this statement that the sector had been neglected in the past. He attributed this situation to "excessive dependence on imports, which had led to industrial stagnation in all wilayas.

But now is the time to show pride: "We proudly affirm that the national production policy has begun to take off significantly," said the president, stressing that "the goal is now to achieve a 13% contribution to GDP," a sign of ambition for consolidation.

A multifaceted recovery

It should be noted that this industrial revitalisation is based on two main drivers. The first is the transformation of industrial assets recovered as part of the fight against corruption, a priority of Tebboune's mandate. The state aims to turn these recovered units into real drivers of production and value creation. The aim is not only to repair the damage of the past, but also to reinject long-idle productive tools back into the economic circuit. The second lever is the definition of an industrial policy refocused on solid industry foundations, with the stated objectives of creating wealth and jobs, as well as strengthening the country's industrial and food security. This approach aims to restructure to reduce the economy's vulnerability to external shocks.

The pharmaceutical model: spearhead and symbol

Among the sectors highlighted by the Head of State in his speech as evidence of this momentum, the pharmaceutical industry occupies a prominent place. The president demonstrated this with figures: "We have achieved more than 80% self-sufficiency in the local pharmaceutical market, which contributes to savings of nearly $250 million." These figures, confirmed by industry players, mark a significant turning point in a strategic area. The authorities attribute this qualitative leap to a strong institutional decision: the creation of a ministry dedicated to the pharmaceutical industry in 2020. This restructuring has revitalised the sector, directing investment, developing the production of generic drugs and setting innovation and export targets. The industry has thus been established as a model of what the country's health and economic sovereignty could be. Thus, the President's speech outlines a clear and proactive path towards reindustrialisation. Algeria's commitment to greater productive autonomy seems to have been strongly reaffirmed. The implementation and tangible results for the population will be the ultimate criteria for evaluating this presidential ambition to restore the industrial sector to its former glory.