Algiers relaxes banking rules
Algeria's decision to stop forcing public companies to use state-owned banks has been welcomed by the country's private sector companies, which say the move will boost interest in the privatisation of the country's banking sector.Private sector banks were forced to sever ties with state companies after the collapse of the Khalifa Group in 2003. The latest change was announced by Prime Minister Abdulaziz Belkhadem on 16 October.'This is good for the entire banking community,' says Kamal Driss, country manager for Citigroup in Algeria. 'It will force more competition in the banking sector and increase interest in the privatisation programme.'The government is selling a 51 per cent in Credit Populaire d'Algerie, which is expected to conclude by the end of 2007.
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