Addressing the 7th session of the Indo-Algerian joint commission in Algeria on Wednesday, Abdullah noted that during the five year period ending 1998-99, India's exports to and imports from Algeria has shown a tremendous upward increase. However, it was a matter of concern that the total bilateral trade had been around $ 25 million considering the potential of the two countries, he added.

Explaining India's economic reforms which commenced a decade ago, he said that the government had systematically dismantled quantitative restrictions on imports on more than 700 tariff lines in the recently notified export and import policy.

By April 2002, there would be no QRs on imports. Besides, Indian had launched the scheme of special economic zones (SEZs), which would be treated as foreign territories to facilitate foreign direct investment to boost exports.