BY: Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The Ministry of Interior, Local Assemblies, and Territorial Planning announced yesterday that all necessary measures had been put in place at the Mustapha-Ben Boulaïd border crossing for its opening to the movement of people to and from Mauritania, alongside its opening to commercial traffic starting Friday. This swift action signifies Algeria’s determination to intensify economic and trade exchanges with Mauritania within the framework of the free trade zone, as well as to fully capitalize on its strong relations with the country to target other markets in Africa.
In a statement released yesterday, the Ministry of Interior stated, “All necessary measures were taken at the Mustapha-Ben Boulaïd border crossing as of Friday, February 23, 2024, for its opening to the movement of people to and from the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, alongside its opening to commercial traffic.” The promptness of this action, highlighted in the statement issued by Brahim Merad’s department, is noteworthy. It reflects the Algerian government’s commitment to elevating relations between the two nations to an excellent level, particularly by enhancing bilateral trade exchanges.
This observation is supported by the Ministry of Interior’s statement, which emphasizes that these measures stem from instructions given by the President of the Republic during the inauguration of fixed border posts between Algeria and Mauritania on February 22, 2024, in the presence of Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani. It underscores the fact that “these measures reflect the political will of the presidents of both countries to promote bilateral cooperation, common development, and good neighborliness.”
A Free Zone and Opportunities
Driven by their historical and friendly ties, Algeria and Mauritania, sharing a 460 km border, already collaborate in several areas such as security, culture, and economic development. The establishment of this free zone is therefore likely to have positive repercussions on the economies of both countries.
In light of Algeria’s responsiveness in opening the border crossing with Mauritania, it is evident that the country is actively seeking to strengthen its economic ties with its regional partners. In this regard, the country is also working to finalize major infrastructure projects, such as the Tindouf-Zouérat road. The Algerian-Mauritanian Business Council believes that this project is of paramount importance and will serve as an additional catalyst for the socioeconomic development of both nations.
This strategic road infrastructure, spanning 840 km, is seen as a crucial factor in promoting the socioeconomic development of the regions it traverses. According to the council’s president, Youcef Ghazi, this road “will provide reliable access for Algerian economic operators to African markets via Mauritania. It will also help consolidate economic and trade cooperation between Algerian and Mauritanian economic operators, in addition to enhancing the development dynamics and smoothness of foreign trade operations between the two countries.” In this spirit, Algeria could not only intensify its exchanges with Mauritania but also expand its reach to other countries in West Africa.
By capitalizing on its strong relations with Mauritania, which holds promising potential in various key sectors such as agri-food, energy, and pharmaceutical products, Algeria could strengthen its regional economic cooperation to broaden its commercial outlets and diversify its markets in West Africa.
Dzair Tube Media Group
Dzair Tube has firmly established itself as a prominent player among Algerian digital news sites, offering a diverse and enriching content experience. The platform, available in Arabic, French, and English editions, captures the attention of a wide-ranging audience, amassing over half a million daily clicks.
A testament to its commitment to excellence, Dzair Tube received the prestigious President of the Republic’s Award for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on October 22, 2022. This recognition underscores the platform’s unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of journalism.
With a significant online presence, Dzair Tube boasts 350,000 subscribers on YouTube, over five million followers on various Facebook pages, and 450,000 subscribers on Instagram. Its digital channel has become a hub for diverse programming, covering news, sports, entertainment, culture, and religion, catering to a broad spectrum of audience preferences.
Equipped with state-of-the-art studios and advanced technology, Dzair Tube’s digital channel has garnered substantial viewership for its varied programs. Hosting interactive discussions with influential figures across different domains, the platform actively fosters public discourse and engagement. Beyond news coverage, Dzair Tube extends its commitment to the production of marketing documentaries, short TV commercials, and high-viewership programs.
The success of the print edition of Dzair Tube’s sports newspaper, “Dzair Sport,” further highlights the platform’s impact, with over 50,000 daily downloads from the official Dzair Tube website.
Recently honored with the Media Leadership Award from the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laâgab, Dzair Tube continues to shape the landscape of Algerian digital news, maintaining a position of influence and impact in the media industry.
