The Working Party report describes Algeria's foreign trade regime and the reforms undertaken in recent years to bring Algeria's legal and institutional framework into compliance with WTO rules. Members also evaluated the progress made in the ongoing bilateral negotiations on market access for goods and services.

Members called for the completion of the accession negotiations which they said was taking too long. Ambassador Valles Galmés, the chair of the working, welcomed members' good faith and their strong political willingness to finalize this accession but emphasised the fact that a lot of work was still needed to be accomplished before Algeria becomes a member.

Reforms to Algeria's trade regime

Members have acknowledged Algeria's progress in reforming its trade regime in order to be fully compatible with WTO rules. Algeria has passed new legislation on Technical barriers to trade (TBT); sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues; intellectual property (TRIPS); antidumping, safeguards and countervailing measures; pricing policies; customs valuation; importation of pharmaceuticals; imports of alcoholic beverages; and exports of beef, sheep and palm trees.

Despite these new pieces of legislation, members pointed out that substantial work still remained to be accomplished on the following issues: State-owned enterprises, pricing on hydrocarbons, trading rights and commercial presence, taxation regime (VAT and other consumers taxes), export subsidies, SPS, TBT, and TRIPS.

Bilateral negotiations on market access of goods/services

Members have urged Algeria to finalize its ongoing bilateral negotiations on market access for goods and services. Algeria has completed negotiations with Brazil, Uruguay, Cuba, Venezuela and Switzerland. It still needs to conclude negotiations with the EC, Canada, Malaysia, Turkey, the Republic of Korea, Ecuador, the US, Norway, Australia, and Japan.

Background information on WTO accession process

• Beginning of negotiations: June 1987

• Last meeting of Working Party: February 2005

• Last revision of Working Party report: June 2006

• Chair of Working Party: Ambassador Guillermo Valles Galmés (Uruguay)