The Chambers of Commerce and
Industry (CCIs) were created in Algeria in the aftermath of colonization.
Led mainly by settlers, they
served the interests of the French metropolis.
Over the years, they have
formed significant assets
- Port and airport zones dealership (the
extension of the port of Algiers was carried out by the CCI of Algiers.),
Exhibition areas and transit stores spaces;
- Owners of movable and immovable property
(Palais Consulaire, Algiers Stock Exchange, banks and insurance
headquarters);
- Training structures owners: Schools
of Business, model making, refrigeration ...;
- Owners of securities (shareholder in
several companies including Air France).
Furthermore, the CCI were vested with public missions
(trade register management, label issuance ...).
From 1962 to 1976
The economic and political
choices have led to a gradual offloading of CCIs missions and property in
favour of State new institutions (Comex Ofalac, Sonatmag, ONP, ENIC ...)
For example, Algiers
International Trade Fair was built in 1964 by the CCI of Algiers on a
concession areas on which was erected Onafex (today Safex)
By the early 1970s, the CCI
found themselves confined in a market information disseminating and training
role (shorthand typist, sewing, hairdressing, accounting ...) and until the
dissolution of their major part in 1976.
1980
Year of creation of Wilaya
Chambers of Commerce (CCW) and the National Chamber of Commerce (CNC) under the
form of an EPA.
- Created as part of the integration process
of the private sector in the national economic development
- Entirely funded by the state budget
- Managed by a Director-General, appointed by
decree for the CNC and a Secretary General, appointed by decree for the
CCW
- Provided with Advisory Boards, chaired by
the DG for the CNC and the SG for CCW
(Decrees 80-46 and 84-47 of 23 February 1980)
1987
Transformation of CCW and CNC into Public Industrial
and Commercial Institutions (EPIC) as part of economic reforms by the country
aiming at further involving the private sector in the national economy
The main changes to the Chambers Status operated in 1987
are introduced by Decree 87-171 of 1 August 1987:
- Involvement of businesses in activities
- adopting the principle of voluntary
adhesion of companies;
- Payment of contributions by members
- Structuring of operators into specialized
sections by professional activities
Establishing an Executive Board open to business
leaders representatives (87-171 Decree of 1 August 1987).
1996
A new organization system of Chambers: initiating the
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) and the Algerian Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (CACI):
- Change of CCW name into CCI and CNC into
CACI;
- Moving from the authority of the Wali to
the Trade Minister for CCIs
- Recognition of traditional consular
missions
- Automatic membership to CCIs of operators
holding the trade register
- Establishing a pyramidal representation
with fewer CCIs ( moving from 48 CCW to 20 CCI);
- Establishing new bodies: General Assembly
(AG), Board and Technical Committees;
- Joint funding (own resources, parafiscal
levies, subsidies and contributions).
2000
- The conditions for eligibility of CACI
presidents and vice-presidents
- The term of office of the President of the
CCI
- Extension of CACI powers in terms of
training (Launch of academic degree programs: promulgation of
interministerial decree)
2010
CACI bodies improvement in the wake of the gradual
transition from 20 to 48 CCI, to meet the operators’ needs and concerns,
particularly in terms of proximity to their chamber