Plastic Raw Materials: Government Denies Import Ban Amid Ongoing Small Business Concerns

The availability of plastic raw materials took center stage at the Council of the Nation, where Senator Ayoub Aouina questioned the government regarding supply hurdles faced by small and medium-sized enterprises in the packaging and plastics sectors. The senator highlighted constraints such as the financial inability of small industrial units to directly purchase the large multi-container minimum quantities demanded by foreign suppliers, in addition to banking obstacles, administrative hurdles, and port demurrage costs.

In reply, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion, Kamel Rezig, dismissed claims of a blanket ban on importing plastic raw materials, pointing out the lack of domestic manufacturing in this sector. He presented statistical data showing a steady upward trend in imported volumes from 2022 through projected figures for 2026. He attributed domestic price hikes to international market fluctuations, maritime freight costs, and supply chain disruptions. Following further detailed concerns raised by the senator regarding banking procedures and port delays, the minister invited him to his ministry for a meeting to review the reported challenges.