APS : Wednesday, 02 August 2017
ALGIERS – Trade Minister Ahmed Abdelhafid Saci received Tuesday in Algiers UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt.
The two officials examined the political and economic relations binding the two countries, said a communiqué of the ministry.
During the meeting he had with visiting UK Minister Alistair Burt, accompanied by Lord Richard Risby, British Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Algeria, Saci said the economic ties between the two countries are “very important”, Great Britain being Algeria’s 10th largest economic partner, its 9th largest international customer and 12th supplier of the Algerian market, said the communiqué.
The minister called on Burt to establish the necessary mechanisms, through the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACI), to create a “solid platform,” ahead of the coming meetings.
Saci recalled the “crucial” challenges in foreign trade for Algeria, seeking to protect the national economy in various fields, referring to the import licencing system as a model and which remains “a measure without impact on Algeria’s international agreements with its partners “.
Burt said that this is the fifth visit he paid to Algeria since 2010, welcoming the British Government policy after Brexit (departure from the European Union) and its willingness “to expand its partnership with the countries that have with GB important economic partnerships, like Algeria.”
He mentioned the “opening of other investment sectors, especially as Algeria remains the safe door for the African markets.”
The British minister said he was confident about the programme of the Algerian government headed by Tebboune and its new strategy inspired by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s programme.
The two sides agreed to continue cooperation and concerted action to realize the political will of the two countries.
