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Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Wednesday appointed Toufik Hakkar as the new head ofstate energy firm Sonatrach, state television reported.
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Hakkar, a senior Sonatrach executive, will replace Kamel Eddine Chikhi who was only named head of the company three months ago, the latest in a rapid carousel of changes at the top in recent years.
Algeria, a major gas supplier to Europe, relies on hydrocarbons sales for 60% of its budget revenue but they have slumped since the oil price fell in 2014, leading to a big decline in foreign currency reserves.
Latest figures show oil and gas earnings reached $30.25 billion in the first 11 months of 2019, a 15% fall from the same period a year earlier as domestic demand and lower output reduced export volumes.
The North African country has responded by trying to boost production capacity, and is seeking investment from international oil companies to help it to do so.
In December, it passed a new law to encourage such investments while still barring foreign companies from owning a majority share in Algerian energy projects.
Falling energy revenues are hitting the state budget, for which a Read More – Source
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