APS : Monday, 02 July 2018
ALGIERS-Energy Minister Mustapha Guitouni partook in the 27th World Gas Conference (WGC 2018) in Washington which brought together CEOs of major world energy groups, senior government officials,
members of the US Congress and political leaders, said the Energy Ministry in a communiqué.
During his stay, Guitouni held several meetings, including CEOs Chevron, Mike Wirth, ExxonMobil and Darren Woods.
Accompanied by Algeria’s Ambassador to the US Madjid Bouguerra, and CEO of Sonatrach group Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour, Guitouni met with the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Energy Rick Perry, with whom he discussed issues related to the WGC 2018 and Algeria-US bilateral relations, notably in the energy field.
The minister also met with Assistant Secretary of the Interior, Land and Minerals Management Joe Balash at the US Department of the Interior.
At the Department of State, Guitouni met with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (former US ambassador to Algeria) Joan A. Polaschik and the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) at the U.S Department of State.
Both sides focused on Algeria-US bilateral ties, notably in the energy field, and the means to strengthen them through further US investments in Algeria and the exchange of knowhow.
They also discussed business and investments prospects under a partnership between Exxon Mobil and Sonatrach.
Guitouni seized the opportunity of these talks to call US companies to invest and Algeria, and emphasize the promising prospects for energy investors, the statement said.
In this connection, Guitouni recalled that Algeria was a developing country that offers several doing business opportunities in various sectors thanks to the reforms launched by President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
“The attractiveness of the hydrocarbon sector in Algeria and profitability prospects are real,” stressed the minister.
Guitouni also said that the Algerian State is willingness to amend the law on hydrocarbons by introducing new provisions in the form of measures to encourage partnership and ensure greater attractiveness.
