After a decade of Islamic uprising, Algeria has launched an $80 billion five-year economic revival plan which, among other things, envisages a $10 billion investment in the water sector.
Under the scheme, the Algerian government plans to renovate infrastructure that has deteriorated as a result of years of under-investment.
The country’s utilities are being stretched due to demographic growth in population and, especially in summer, the capital Algiers and other cities arte liable to shortages of drinking water.
Plans are in place to build dams, desalination plants and pipelines and international companies and consortia will be encouraged to bid for the tenders.
Besides supplying drinking water, the dams will also be used to irrigate crops and boost the country’s grain harvest, which is often affected by drought. Algeria is the biggest importer of wheat in North Africa
Source:
Reuters
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