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Terrorism has hampered development in Algeria -- MP

(With POL-KUWAIT-PARLIAMENT series) KUWAIT, June 28 (KUNA) -- Algeria is striving to realize sustainable development through two ambitious social and economic programs worth more than 150 billion US dollars, an Algerian legislator said on Thursday.
Abdel Hameed Bin Al-Sheikh Al-Hussein, addressing the Parliamentary Forum on Development and Education in Arab Countries, confirmed Algeria's continuous implementation of the 1999-2004 and 2004-2009 development strategies, adding that it had also succeeded in paying all external debts. He also put the currency reserves at more than USD 80 billion.
The remarkable economic development followed a period of stagnation and recession, resutling from "the coward terrorism," he said alluding to a spate of violence dating back to the 1990s when radical Islamic groups waged a bloody campaign against the state after suspension of polls.
At the time, the Algerians suffered greatly and conditions dramatically deteriorated to the extent they could not afford paying for a single shipload of wheat, he added, affirming the relationship between security and development.
But indicated at some major concerns; prospected "stabilization" of oil prices, consequences of Algiers' joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), economic openess and reforms. He indicated that dependence on oil as a major source for income must be cut. (end) ms.rk KUNA 281411 Jun 07NNNN