Algeria on 3 May increased a planned cut to 2020 current spending from 30% to 50%. It now plans to spend just AD2.45trillion ($19.0bn), half the AD4.89trillion original plan (MEES, 10 January). The government now sees energy revenues falling to $20.6bn from $37.4bn last year.
Though Algeria’s revenues are dwindling it is still having to spend in order to cushion the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic – putting further pressure on its fiscal position and eating into reserves (MEES, 1 May). Health and social spending are being ramped up. The government on 3 May announced a 10% rise in the monthly minimum wage to AD20,000 ($155) and abolished income tax for those earning less than AD30,000. (CONTINUED - 206 WORDS)