Algeria to spend $ 2 billion for the acquisition of long-distance trains

"The specifications for the acquisition of these trains are being developed," said the minister at the 7th Conference of Transport Ministers of Western Mediterranean "GTMO 5 +5". In his speech during the conference, Mr. Tu noted that the length of the rail network in Algeria increased from 1,800 km in 2008 to over 3,900 km in 2011 and will reach 10,600 km in 2015.

Moreover, the minister told reporters on the sidelines of the conference that Algeria did not pay the current "carbon tax" introduced by the countries of the European Union. "This must be done within the framework of international cooperation. Algeria will not pay the tax for the time being" imposed on the airline business, he answered a question from a reporter.

The Secretary General of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), Habib Benyahia, described the achievements of Algeria in the transport as "exemplary" and " a role model". "When we have financial resources and innovative ideas we can produce exemplary projects as is the case of Algeria in the field of transport," he said to APS on the sidelines of the Conference.

Mr. Benyahia said he was "amazed" to see the extent of development of road infrastructure in Algeria and the launch of modern modes of transport such as electric railcars, trams and metro in a few years. Asked about the date of the next summit of the AMU, he said it would be held before "the end of the year".