ALGIERS – The Algerian President, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Minister of National Defence, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, chaired a Cabinet meeting on Sunday that discussed several topics, including the tourism and Hajj (pilgrimage) allowances, progress of railway projects, the 2024–2025 agricultural plan, and issues of public interest, according to a statement from the Algerian Presidency.
The statement noted that following the presentation of the government’s activities over the past two weeks by the Prime Minister and an interim report on the comprehensive digitalisation’s progress by the Minister, High Commissioner for Digitisation, the President issued the following directives:
Tourism Allowance
The President decided to increase the tourism allowance to 750 euros for each adult Algerian traveller and 300 euros for each minor, starting from January 2025. This fulfils one of the President’s key commitments to improving the well-being of Algerians. An executive decree will be issued to outline the procedures for receiving the allowance.
Hajj (Pilgrimage) Allowance
The President also approved an increase in the Hajj allowance to 1,000 dollars for each Algerian, starting from the next pilgrimage season.
Flood Damage Compensation
Following a report from the Minister of the Interior, Local Authorities, and National Planning on the damage caused by the floods in September, which affected several regions, the President authorised compensation for 1,564 families whose household and electronic furniture was damaged, with each family receiving 250,000 Algerian dinars. Additionally, 824 financial aids were provided. For the rehabilitation of 2,960 homes, 700,000 dinars will be allocated to each family, and 344 families will be relocated. The final phase of assessing and classifying the damage to farmers is underway to begin in-kind compensation across the affected regions, based on insurance conditions and the extent of the damage.
The President praised the efforts of the Ministry of Interior and other state services for their swift and effective response during the crisis, reaffirming the commitment to supporting citizens in times of hardship. He also instructed that the resolution of this matter, including compensation and final assessments, be completed by the end of the year.
2024–2025 Agricultural Plan
The President directed the adoption of a clear and accurate vision to ensure sufficient agricultural products for the national market first, followed by the export of surplus products from the current season. He also ordered the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to reduce imports, alongside the new national plan for utilising treated wastewater to benefit agricultural production.
Moreover, the President commended the recent improvements in the agricultural sector.
Railway Projects
The President ordered the acceleration of the modernisation plan for the railway network, prioritising the railway line to Tamanrasset, starting from Algiers and linking to neighbouring African countries.
He also directed the newly established large-scale maritime works group to begin immediate dredging of sand from the depths of small and medium-sized ports, including Boudis in Jijel, Bejaia, Annaba, Mostaganem, Ghazaouet, Cap Djinet, Tenes, and Dellys.
The meeting concluded with the approval of several presidential decrees related to international cooperation.
