Minister reviews progress of vehicle plant in Aïn Témouchent

Minister Farid Kourtel, who heads the Ministry of Industry, met a delegation from EMIN AUTO on Tuesday to review progress of a vehicle plant in Aïn Témouchent wilaya.

EMIN AUTO represents JAC Motors in Algeria and is behind the investment project.

According to Awras, the ministry said in a statement that the meeting assessed how far the project has moved forward. Talks also covered ways to raise the local integration rate, the share of parts made in Algeria, and to grow industrial subcontracting.

The plant is planned for the Tamzoura industrial zone in Aïn Témouchent, on a 33-hectare site. It would include vehicle assembly, painting, engine production and vehicle body production.

The target capacity is 100,000 vehicles a year. When the project was planned, the company said it aimed to export 30% to 40% of its output to African markets.

Its officials at the time also forecast a local integration rate of 30% when production starts, rising above 50% by the end of the first year.

How much has been invested?

The company's investment in Algeria has reached 203 million dollars. Investment for the first phase has exceeded 2.7bn dinars (DZD) and is expected to rise to 5bn dinars once the project moves into its manufacturing stage.

What does it mean for jobs?

The company has said the plant would create 250 direct jobs when activity starts. The number would rise to 1,200 by the end of the first year of production.

For job seekers in Algeria, the project would mean new work, but no start date for production has been given.

The project's details and goals were first presented about seven years ago.