(Ecofin Agency) - In Algeria, the sugar monopoly could soon be a thing of the past. According to Bakhti Belaib, minister of Agriculture, the start of new refineries would provide a means to reach the end of Issad Rebrab's private monopoly.

The minister who was visiting the "big Oran sugar plant" of the Berrahal group, indicated that the country would soon welcome 4 refineries and that 6 Algerian investors would also enter the sector soon. He stressed that the monopoly which was in place affected neither the supply in sugar, nor even the availability of the raw material.

Thus, the opening of the production to others would enable Algeria to become an exporter of the foodstuff. "After these projects have been handed over for operation, there will be a potential for export towards Africa and some European countries" the leader confided to APS.