MISSION OVERVIEW
DMA’s UK Algeria trade mission containing 42 British businesses from 11 sectors (energy; renewables, education; law; plastic recyclables; frontier finance; consulting; infrastructure; tourism; mining and certification) made the trip to Algiers where they met with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Energy, Tourism, Public Works, Education, Agriculture, Environment as well as Sonatrach and Sonalgaz and members of the FORUM.
Opened by Rt. Hon Lord Risby highlighted the win-win nature of a UK-Algeria partnership for development of the knowledge economy, diversification and economic efficiency in both countries.
An opening High-Level Panel bolstered enthusiasm and optimism around Algeria’s potential, particularly HMA Barry Lowen’s discussion of how British companies are in the right place at the right time. This was echoed by Mohamed Hanache (Director General of Europe, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) remarks that this was the time for UK businesses to be present in Algeria.
Abdelhamid Terghini (Director of Development and Preservation of Tourist Areas, Ministry of Tourism), inspired an active Q&A session highlighting the development potential of Algeria’s history and landscape.
Day One of the Mission continued to explore notable growth sectors in financial services, energy and renewables. Networking throughout the day, provided the opportunity for engagement between UK and Algerian businesses.
A huge thank you to Ambassador Lowen for hosting an excellent reception for the delegation at the Ambassador’s Residence (hear from our delegates).
Day two continued with panel discussions on infrastructure and the digital economy, as well as a keynote from Sonelgaz. The afternoon was spent in individual meetings for the visiting delegation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Energy and Public Works.
A thank you too to Lady Olga and the ABBC for an enjoyable dinner on the second evening, solidifying networks and providing more opportunity for engagement between both UK and Algerian businesses.
Day three concluded the mission, with additional one-to-one meetings with the Ministries of Energy, Agriculture, Tourism, Environment, Sonatrach and Sonelgaz.
The three-day mission saw this incredibly strong, well-capitalised delegation meet with its Algerian counterparts in one of the most productive bilateral business engagements in light of the UK’s new Brexit positioning prioritising trade between the two nations. We look forward to continuing this engagement with our High-Level Forum in June, this year.
Many thanks to our sponsors: ABBC, Tell Group, Nas Consulting, Intriinsights, Air Algerie and Oxford Business Group.
EVENT PROGRAMME
DAY 1 – TUESDAY, 25TH FEBRUARY
10.00-10.10 Opening Address
Lord Risby, British Prime Minister’s Partnership Envoy for Algeria
10.10-12.00 High-Level Panel Discussion
Mohamed Hanache, Director General of Europe, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
HMA Barry Lowen, British Ambassador to Algeria
Abdelkrim Mansouri, General Director, National Agency of Investment Development (ANDI)
Abdelhamid Terghini, Director of Development and Preservation of Tourist Areas, Ministry of Tourism and Handicraft
Ghania Ouchait, Directeur, Algex, Ministry of Commerce
Mohamed Sami Agli, President of FORUM
Lunch Break
14.15-15.15 Session 1: Discussion on the Economy and Financial Services Ministry of Finance
Rafik Boussa, Chief Executive, Grant Thornton Algeria
Mohamed Belkacem, Director of Financial Markets, Ministry of Finance
Yassine Bouhara, Chairman, Tell Group
15.15 – 16.15: Session 2: Investing in Energy inc. Renewables
Mourad Chikhi, Director Development and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy
Mohamed Nassim Hallal, Director of Strategy and Digital Economy, Sonatrach
Sakhri Abderrahmane, Supervisor Partnership and Industrial Development, Sonalgaz
M. Abddelkrim Dziri, Country Director, Nerta Solar
18.30-20.30 Evening Cocktail Reception
DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY, 26TH FEBRUARY
10.00-10.20: Sonalgaz Presentation
10.20-10.50: Session 4: infrastructure
Chair: Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, DMA
Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
National Center of Clean Technology Production (CNTPP), Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy
National Agency of Waste (AND), Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy
10.50-11.40: Session 4: The Digital Economy
Chair: Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, DMA
Djaoued Salim Allal, Chief Executive, Adex Techology
Chams Eddine Bezzitouni, Chief Executive, Born to Change the Game
11:40-11:50: Lady Olga Maitland, The Algerian British Business Council (ABBC)
14.00-15.00 Ministerial Meeting (Ministry of Energy and Mining)
15.00-16.00 Ministerial Meeting (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development)
16.00-17.00 Ministerial Meeting (Ministry of Public Works)
20.00-22.00 Private Dinner for Mission Delegation - Sponsored by ABBC
DAY 3 - THURSDAY, 27th FEBRUARY
Optional 1-to-1 Meetings with Ministry of Energy, Environment, Sonatrach and Sonelgaz
