Message addressed by H.E. Amine KHERBI,
Ambassador of Algeria to the United States of America,
to the USABC seminar in AlgiersApril 6, 2008 Mr. Minister,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very pleased to address to you this message as you meet in Algiers to set new horizons for cooperation between Algeria and the United States. This US-Algeria Business Council seminar is a significant initiative taking place at a crucial juncture of the evolution of our relations.
Algeria and the United States enjoy long friendly ties strengthened by the commitment expressed by President Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA and President George W. BUSH to establish a strong and lasting bilateral partnership.
My conviction is that these relations will be even better consolidated as they become stronger thanks to closer economic cooperation, enabling our two countries to take full advantage of the immense opportunities that we now have at our disposal.
Today, all conditions to achieve this ambition have been met. Algeria is a country whose aspirations are commensurate with its potentialities. Determined to become a key destination for foreign investments, it has undertaken deep reforms which have already borne fruit, as acknowledged by numerous reports issued by international institutions and bodies. In addition to sustained growth, our country offers a wide range of assets that foster a particularly favorable business climate, namely modern infrastructures, telecommunication and transportation networks, production factors, as well as appropriate legislation. At the same time, the Algerian authorities continue to spare no effort to meet the expectations and concerns of our partners.
It is not necessary to recall that Algeria is the first trading partner of the United States in the Maghreb and their second in the Arab world and Africa. Our bilateral economic relations, however, continue to be focused on hydrocarbons. Consequently, it is our wish to see greater involvement of American companies in the other sectors of the Algerian economy.
Consistently known for their willingness to explore new markets and expand their activities, US firms will find plenty of arrangements and facilities for profitable investments in an Algerian market in full expansion. There is no doubt that a more favorable disposition by our American partners to become aware of and to explore the potentialities of our economy is now necessary. Algeria is not only a country with considerable potential; it is also a connection point between Africa, the Arab world, and Europe.
Increasing the flow of American investments, stimulating exchanges between our two countries, strengthening cooperation in the area of research and development are objectives that we need to reach to give our relations the required impulse and ambition.
The USABC has an essential role to play in this cooperative enterprise. This seminar will not only contribute to the development of exchanges between Algeria and the United States but will also enable firms from both countries to find new synergies and complementarities in all potential areas of cooperation, namely by establishing joint ventures. By using the leverage of your position and by taking advantage of this momentum, you can make a major contribution to the achievement of our common goals for the benefit of the Algerian and the American peoples.
I wish all of you great success in your proceedings.
Amine KHERBI
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