Past Events

6 - 10 May 2013

From 6 until 10 May, a delegation comprising representatives of twenty Belgian companies headed to Algeria in search of business opportunities and commercial partnerships. The ABLCC organized this multisectoral economic mission with the collaboration of the Brussels Chamber of Commerce and Brussel Invest and Export. It also enjoyed the valuable support of H.E. Mr. Frédéric Meurice, Belgian Ambassador to Algeria, and of Mr. Rudy Mertens, Economic Attaché of Brussels Invest and Export. The well filled programme, which was elaborated with the collaboration of the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACI), included, among other activities, a plenary meeting at the Algerian Chamber, two days of bilateral meetings between Belgian and Algerian companies, a reception offered by the Belgian Ambassador, and an optional visit to the Batimatec Fair. Meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Industry, SMEs and Investment Promotion, the Ministry of Public Works and state-owned Sonelgaz and Sonatrach also formed part of the agenda.

Thanks to the profound economic transformation that took place in Algeria starting with the adoption of the IMF structural adjustment programme at the beginning of the nineties, Algeria now indeed can be termed a country of opportunity. CACI President Mr. Tahar Khellil noted during the plenary meeting that a phase of macroeconomic stabilization was followed by an ambitious process of economic renewal, resulting in an important reduction of external debt – now standing at USD four billion – mirrored by a growth in foreign exchange reserves, which currently amount to nearly USD 200 billion. Besides the launching of a programme of socio-economic projects with a value of USD 286 billion, the past years also witnessed the adoption of several measures to promote the creation of a conducive business environment. Mr. Khellil mentioned the signing of several international conventions which aim to protect and encourage investments. Auditor Wassila Mouzai referred to the convention on mutual judicial assistance in civil and commercial matters that binds Belgium and Algeria since 1970, as well as to the convention abolishing double taxation that came into force between both countries in 2004. She also recalled the amendation of the Procurement Code which grants foreign companies access to public procurement contracts. Nevertheless, this access remains subordinated to the realization of investments by the foreign partner in the framework of a local partnership.

Fltr: Mr. Tahar Khellil, President of the CACI, H.E. Mr. Frédéric Meurice, Belgian Ambassador to Algeria, Mrs. Bahloul, Head of International Relations at the CACI and Mr. Qaisar Hijazin, SG of the ABLCC.

With a total value of an estimated EUR three billion, Belgian-Algerian commercial exchanges are doing well. In 2012, Belgian exports to Algeria exceeded EUR one billion in 2012, while imports from Algeria – consisting for 99.6% of hydrocarbons – amounted to nearly EUR 2 billion. This makes Algeria the second most important commercial partner for Belgium in Africa and the first one in the Maghreb. According to Belgian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Meurice, around eighty Belgian companies are currently active in the Algerian market under a varietyof forms – with a commercial presence, as subcontractor, through distribution, … with construction, public works and hydraulics as most important sectors. But Belgian investments remain generally low, and could definitely do with a boost. The establishment of a mixed Belgian-Algerian Commission, which is expected by the end of 2013, is definitely a step in the right direction. Besides consolidating the exchange of expertise and technology and stimulating investments and entrepreneurship, it aims to extend bilateral collaboration to fields including railroad transport, the nuclear industry, environmental issues and textile. The redefinition of natural liquefied gas commercialization will also form part of the agenda. As was noted by Mr. Meurice, Algeria will remain a strategic partner of Belgium for quite some time to come.

Belgian delegation visiting Sonatrach