Algerian Agriculture Minister Holds High-Level Talks with Omani Delegation to Boost Investment in Agriculture and Fisheries
Algerian Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries, Youcef Cherfa, chaired a high-level working meeting on Tuesday in Algiers with a distinguished Omani delegation to explore investment opportunities in the agriculture and marine fisheries sectors.
The Omani delegation, led by the Chairman of the Oman Investment Authority, Abdulsalam bin Mohammed Al Murshidi, and accompanied by the Minister of Agricultural Wealth, Fisheries, and Water Resources, Saud bin Hamoud Al Habsi, and the Minister of Health, Hilal bin Ali Al Sabti, is visiting Algeria as part of efforts to implement the outcomes of the state visit conducted by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to Oman in late October 2023.
The meeting, attended by senior officials from Algeria’s Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries, as well as representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Energy, and Finance, focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture and fisheries. Both sides discussed available investment opportunities in their respective countries and exchanged insights on agricultural policies and practices.
In his address, Minister Cherfa outlined the key pillars of Algeria’s development strategy aimed at enhancing food security and contributing to the diversification of the national economy. He highlighted the incentives and advantages offered by Algeria’s new investment law, designed to attract both domestic and foreign investors.
Cherfa emphasized Algeria’s goals under the National Plan for Strategic Agricultural Development, which provides promising investment opportunities, particularly in the southern regions. He underscored Algeria’s vast potential for sustainable production of essential agricultural products, leveraging its significant resources and capabilities.
Regarding the fisheries sector, the minister pointed to government initiatives aimed at encouraging shipbuilding for fishing activities and promoting both inland and marine aquaculture. He described the meeting as an opportunity to activate the bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) on marine fisheries signed in 2015, as well as the MoU on plant protection and animal health established in 2010.
For his part, Omani Minister of Agricultural Wealth, Fisheries, and Water Resources, Saud bin Hamoud Al Habsi, expressed his country’s readiness to develop partnerships between Algerian and Omani stakeholders. He noted that such collaborations could increase bilateral trade volumes and open export opportunities to African and European markets, leveraging Algeria’s strategic position as a gateway to these regions.
The Omani minister praised Algeria’s expertise in desert agriculture, describing the Algerian market as ripe with significant investment opportunities, particularly in marine fisheries. He highlighted Oman’s substantial experience in this sector, with an annual fish production exceeding 700,000 tons.
The Omani delegation also met with Algerian Minister of Health, Abdelhak Saïhi, and the Director-General of the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency, Omar Rekkache.
As part of their visit, the delegation is scheduled to conduct field visits to the provinces of Algiers, Boumerdès, and Blida to inspect various industrial and agricultural facilities.
This meeting marks a significant step in deepening economic ties between Algeria and Oman, with a focus on fostering sustainable development and mutual growth in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
