(Ecofin Agency) - Airing on Radio M on April 24, the chief executive officer of the Hasnaoui group of companies, Brahim Hasnaoui, pleaded for the liberalization of land by the Algerian government to “facilitate housing construction”. A reform which should boost real estate market in Algeria amid a quite difficult economic context.

“The State must liberalize land and facilitate the introduction of specialized Algerian private companies in the construction sector so that demand for housing is effectively met. This should rapidly done, considering that public firms still control 90% of housing projects which are developed in the country,” the CEO explained.

“In some of the country’s regions, it would be more profitable to set land aside for construction rather than dedicate to agriculture solely,” he said voicing his opinion against the government’s main strategy to valorize arable lands. “It is necessary to conduct surveys to determine lands that are most appropriate for housing projects,” Hasnaoui added.

Souha Touré