Algeria Expects Foreign Reserves to Decrease to $76bn in 2020

A general view of the upper parliament chamber is pictured in Algiers, Algeria. (Reuters)
A general view of the upper parliament chamber is pictured in Algiers, Algeria. (Reuters)
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Algeria Expects Foreign Reserves to Decrease to $76bn in 2020

A general view of the upper parliament chamber is pictured in Algiers, Algeria. (Reuters)
A general view of the upper parliament chamber is pictured in Algiers, Algeria. (Reuters)

Algerian Finance Minister Abderrahmane Raouia expected foreign reserves in his country to decrease to $76.2 billion by the end of 2020.

Over the past few years and wit the drop in oil prices, financial pressure increased on Algeria and its major dependency on oil revenues.

Oil and gas revenues comprise about 60 percent of Algeria's budget and 95 percent of total exports.

The status of international energy markets reflected on the country's foreign reserves, which fell from $192 billion in 2014 to $108 billion in mid 2017.

During his presentation of the 2018 Algerian budget before the People's National Assembly, Raouia stated that Algeria's foreign reserves reached $102.4 billion at the end of September, expecting it to decrease to $85.2 billion at the end of 2018.

The minister also stated that the reserves will drop to $79.7 billion at the end of 2019.

Algerian daily Akhbar el-Youm reported that the 2018 budget includes procedures to increase oil prices and impose the new wealth tax.

The tax applies to people who own a wealth exceeding 50 million Algerian dinar, according to the newspaper.

In October, the parliament approved amendments to the Money and Credit Law to allow the central bank for the first time to lend directly to the public treasury to finance budget deficits and internal public debt and provide resources for the coming five years.

Algeria’s economy should grow by 4 percent in 2018, up from the 2.2 percent forecast for this year, as oil prices recover, the government said in a document according to Reuters.

The government anticipates inflation reaching 5.5 percent next year, unchanged from its projection for 2017, according to the document, which is part of the draft budget for 2018.



Diriyah Company Awards $600 Million Contract to Salini Saudi Arabia for 400 Retail Units

The heart of Diriyah reflecting 300 years of history and heritage (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The heart of Diriyah reflecting 300 years of history and heritage (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Diriyah Company Awards $600 Million Contract to Salini Saudi Arabia for 400 Retail Units

The heart of Diriyah reflecting 300 years of history and heritage (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The heart of Diriyah reflecting 300 years of history and heritage (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Diriyah Company has awarded a major new $600 million contract for construction work on the high-profile Diriyah Square retail precinct to Salini Saudi Arabia, a subsidiary of the Webuild Group.

The square is located at the heart of Diriyah, the City of Earth, within the unique Najdi-inspired architectural Diriyah Masterplan.

It is designed to develop a vibrant retail district featuring a mix of 400 iconic retail, leisure, and dining brands.

The district will emphasize exceptional customer experiences, focusing on pedestrians and offering unparalleled shopping, dining, and living opportunities. Also, the square aims to pioneer the future retail and leisure landscape of the region.

This marks the third major involvement of the Webuild Group in helping to create the unique flagship retail environment in Diriyah.

Salini is already well advanced in constructing a 10,500-space car park beneath Diriyah Square, which will be among the largest in the world.

The car park will include bus stations, dedicated taxi and VIP drop-off areas, and an underground four-lane gyratory connecting the subterranean Masterplan, providing best-in-class vehicle access and customer parking experiences across Diriyah Square.

Salini is also nearing completion of the structural engineering for all above-ground Diriyah Square assets, including the retail spaces, hotels, branded residences, offices, and the Grand Mosque, according to Diriyah Company.

The contract for developing the retail district includes constructing 73 individual buildings and 400 shell-and-core retail units over a built-up area of 365,340 square meters, covering facades, finishes, and fit-outs of the units.

Every building will use traditional Najdi architectural design themes to create a unique pedestrianized retail environment in the heart of Diriyah reflecting 300-years of history and heritage.

Commenting on the latest contract award, Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: “Diriyah Square is one of our most exciting, anticipated, and prestigious districts, and we are extremely pleased to have signed with Salini to deliver it, bringing their immense global experience to the table.”

“It is yet another significant milestone in our development journey and will help set the stage for Diriyah Square’s retail spaces to welcome a diverse array of shoppers from our residential communities, surrounding office spaces, and the millions who visit us every year,” he added.

Webuild CEO Pietro Salini said: “We are proud to contribute to a project of such symbolic and strategic importance to Saudi Arabia.”

“This will further strengthen our presence in the Kingdom and positively impact both the area and the local community,” he stated.

Salini also said: “We are excited about developing this new phase of Diriyah Square, an integral part of an iconic project. The Webuild Group has been present in Saudi Arabia since 1966, delivering more than 90 projects.”

He added that his company will remain committed to supporting the Kingdom in developing some of the world’s most complex infrastructure projects, particularly in areas such as civil buildings, sustainable mobility, and desalination.