ABSTRACT
Algeria's experience in the field of social and economic development is unique in the Arab world. Examination of the structure of the Algerian economy in pre-independence days shows that agriculture made the largest single contribution to the gross domestic product. Until the mid-sixties, the agricultural sector was the largest single contributor to national product, an honour which passed in 1966 to the petroleum and gas sector. This chapter explores that an attempt had been made before the signing of the Evian Agreement in March 1962 for the partitioning of Algeria so that the Sahara would remain 'French' and French interests would continue to exploit Algeria's mineral wealth. Deep concern with the rural society among Algerian political leaders, economic planners and intellectuals in general is unparalleled in the Arab world in its volume and seriousness. Most of Algeria's industry is organised in the form of public companies. Each of these embraces a number of industrial establishments.
