Sanchez calls on Algeria to create a favourable scenario for economic investment
The economic meeting between President Pedro Sánchez and the Algerian authorities, which was scheduled for April this year, has finally been able to take place after the coronavirus pandemic came to a halt.
Mr Sánchez was received on the steps and with military honours by the Algerian prime minister, Abdelaziz Djerad, at Houari Boumedian airport, from where he was taken to the presidential palace for a gala dinner and a brief meeting with the president of the republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Seven major Spanish companies with interests in the North African country travelled with the president, as well as representatives of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE), Foment del Treball and the General Union of Workers (UGT), which is the first time they have travelled with the government on a mission of this kind.
During the talks on the last day and this one, Sánchez asked the Algerian government for a "level playing field" to improve the presence of Spanish companies in the country. The Algerian government is currently undergoing a legislative and constitutional transition, which will culminate in a population referendum on 1 November.
Mr Sánchez therefore called for the Algerian government's reform efforts to improve Spanish investments in this North African country. The visit included the President's presence at an economic forum at which Mr Sánchez assured that Spanish companies are "prepared to contribute to the Algerian government's efforts to develop the country's economy".
Mr Sánchez stressed that the pandemic has delayed, paralysed and completely changed many projects that were on the table. He therefore stressed that changes were urgent "and now cannot be postponed" and encouraged everyone, governments and companies present, to work together to tackle them.
The President of the CEOE, Antonio Garamendi, for his part, recalled the good commercial relationship between both countries. It should be remembered that in 2019, Algeria occupied the 15th position as a world client of Spain and is, furthermore, the second client of Spanish products on the entire African continent.
Sanchez also stressed that they still have plenty of scope to continue developing their business in Algeria in a wide range of sectors. In addition to these statements, Garamendi highlighted the Spanish presence in areas such as energy, construction, engineering, water treatment, logistics, food, railways and the automotive industry.
Despite the existence of good relations, Sánchez wanted to point out that "they are still far below their potential", suggesting that they could be expanded much further in the future. For this reason, he insisted on the Algerian government having a "legal framework that is favourable to investment and stable regulatory environments that reduce uncertainty and create a good climate for business".
Among the companies that have accompanied the government on this visit is Naturgy, which this morning announced the agreement it has reached with the Algerian company Sonatrach to review the existing gas contracts between the two parties.
The President of Naturgy, Francisco Reynés, spoke on behalf of the businessmen present, stressing that the agreement with Sonatrach benefits both countries and their bilateral relations and will give "certainty" to the gas supply to Spain.
The presence of UGT on this trip has served to strengthen relations between the European Union and Algeria with a view to deepening the association agreement.
On board the plane that took him to Algeria, President Sánchez wanted to stress the importance of a visit that aims to boost the already strong presence of Spanish companies and extend Spain's support to the new Algerian government.
Migration, security and combating terrorism and economic relations were the main themes of this official visit, which was scheduled for April but had to be postponed owing to the coronavirus pandemic.