Italy Seeks to Diversify Investments in Algeria to Strengthen Bilateral Partnership
Algiers – Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, emphasized on Monday in Algiers that Italy aims to diversify its investments in Algeria to bolster the strategic partnership between the two nations. His remarks came during an Algerian-Italian roundtable on entrepreneurship, attended by high-ranking officials and business leaders from both countries.
The event saw the participation of key Algerian officials, including Mohamed Arkab, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energy; Youcef Cherfa, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries; Sifi Ghrieb, Minister of Industry; and Nourredine Yassaâ, Secretary of State for Renewable Energy. Also present were Mohamed Khelifi, Algeria’s Ambassador to Rome, and Alberto Cutillo, Italy’s Ambassador to Algeria. Representatives from major Algerian entities, such as Sonatrach CEO Rachid Hachichi, Algerian Investment Promotion Agency (AAPI) Director General Omar Rekkache, and Kamel Moula, President of the Algerian Economic Renewal Council (CREA), joined alongside Italian and Algerian business leaders.
In his address, Tajani highlighted the strong foundation of Algerian-Italian relations but stressed the need to further solidify the partnership by expanding investments into diverse sectors. “The Algerian-Italian partnership is good, but it must become even stronger by investing in areas such as agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, construction, and other fields,” he stated.
Tajani expressed Italy’s willingness to contribute to the development of Algeria’s fishing industry by leveraging Italian expertise in shipbuilding for fishing vessels. He also underscored Algeria’s potential in the tourism sector, citing its geographical diversity and cultural richness as key attractions for Italian investors.
Emphasizing Algeria’s strategic importance in Africa, Tajani noted that the current conditions are favorable for establishing mutually beneficial partnerships. He proposed organizing an entrepreneurship forum in Rome to provide Algerian investors with insights into opportunities in Italy.
On the cultural front, Tajani announced an increase in scholarships for Algerian students, describing them as future “bridges between Italian investors and their Algerian counterparts.” This initiative aims to foster long-term collaboration and mutual understanding between the two nations.
The roundtable underscored the shared commitment of Algeria and Italy to deepen economic ties and explore new avenues of cooperation, signaling a promising future for bilateral relations.