Russian-Algerian Business Forum and 2nd Russian Exhibition in Algiers

Russian-Algerian Business Forum and 2nd Russian Exhibition in Algiers

A delegation of Russian business circles came to Algeria on October 11-17 to participate in the Russian-Algerian Business Forum organized by the Russian-Arab Business Council and the Arabia-EXPO company. The Second Russian Exhibition in Algiers was held within the framework of the Forum. The Forum and Exhibition was sponsored by Algeria’s state air carrier “Air Algerie” that operates a convenient and affordable direct flight between the capitals of Russia and Algeria with services aimed at growing business cooperation between the two countries.

More than 100 representatives of Russian and Algerian business circles representing various fields (engineering and construction, design and studies, specialized equipment, tractors and drilling rigs, etc.) took part in the Forum’s business schedule. The products and services of Russian companies supplying specialized machines for drilling, servicing and operation of oil and gas wells and facilities was presented to key representatives of the Algerian petrochemical industry, including the Ministry of Energy and the Sonatrach and Sonelgas state corporations.

The plenary session of the Russian Algerian Business Forum was attended by Alexandre Egorov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in Algiers, Tatiana Gvilava, Director of the Russian-Arab Business Council, Ammar Bouguerra, Head of cabinet of the Minister of Finance of Algeria, Mohammed Chami, Secretary General of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Algeria, Teib Izzraimi, Chairman of the Algerian-Russian Business Council, the members of the Russian delegation, representatives of Algerian business circles and media. The schedule of the Forum was covered by the Russian Arab-speaking satellite TV-channel “Rusiya Al-Yaum”. The Forum’s opening ceremony also featured a performance by a Russian traditional music and dance band “Babye Leto”.

The Forums’ framework also included round table discussions on investment, cooperation in energy and petrochemical fields, machinery and equipment. The Russian participants presented their companies, projects and ideas and had a chance to further discuss them with representatives of Algerian enterprises and state institutions. A number of Russian delegates also attended Algeria’s ministries and state companies, discussed partnership and investment opportunities and presented their experience and interest for Algerian markets. A number of Russian participants in the Forum and Exhibition have already started work on the creation of joint ventures with Algerian partners.

A delegation headed by Valery Davydov, Deputy Director of Moscow’s General Plan Institute attended the Ministry of Habitat and Urbanization of Algeria and suggested that a pool of Russian companies be formed to take part in the extensive program of construction of houses and apartments in Algeria. The meeting also discussed the three new economic cities being constructed in Algeria, the rehabilitation of multiple built-up territories across Algeria, and possibilities for the Russian companies to become contractors in these and other projects.

A number of Russian companies also visited a site where a new economic city is planned to be constructed and discussed prospects for their involvement in this and other similar projects. Head of AlianceSpetsStroy Construction Company announced an intention of creating a joint venture in the near future for the purpose of combining experience and existing human resources to provide complex services in design and construction using its own pool of construction materials and machinery.

A number of key regional companies of Russia took part in the Forum and Exhibition, including “Paker” and “Burservice” from Bashkortostan, “Velan” from Rostov, as well as “Uralvagonzavod” Corporation that was represented by its mobile drilling rig and special machines division.

The Russian delegation also negotiated investment opportunities with top-level representatives of Algeria’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Energy and Mines, a number of official institutions, as well as Algerian state corporations “Sonatrach” and “Sonelgas”. It was suggested that a number of Russian companies make a joint effort to enter Algerian markets to benefit from their available human and technological resources, provide their services where they can assist in creating a modern and competitive infrastructure in Algeria. Some Russian representatives also voiced interest for using Algiers as a convenient base for the expansion of their business on both regional and international scale. 

The Russian-Algerian Business Forum and Exhibition resulted in new contacts for Russian companies in different sectors and fruitful negotiations with interested partners. Competitive ways of cooperation between Russian and Algerian companies and unions of entrepreneurs have been proposed and discussed, and it has been confirmed that Russian companies are set to come to Algerian markets and offer their projects, products and services as long-term partners and contribute to the establishment of the new Algerian infrastructure that has been emerging in the recent years.

During the closing ceremony of the event it has been announced that the Third Russian Exhibition and Forum in Algeria are planned to be organized in October, 2012.

Event's Photogallery