Algeria will rack up its first trade deficit in decades this year. Latest trade statistics for January-July 2015 indicate a seven-month deficit of $8bn, a sharp reversal from a $4bn surplus for the same period a year earlier and record surpluses of over $20bn for 2011 and 2012 (see table).

And MEES analysis suggests that the situation is going to get worse with the country on course to rack up a $20bn deficit for the year as a whole. (CONTINUED - 582 WORDS)