France willing to support Algeria's efforts to diversify economy

French Minister Manuel Valls expressed Sunday in Algiers his country's willingness to support Algeria's efforts to diversify its economy, while highlighting potentialities of a bilateral partnership in "strategic" fields like health, food industry and transport.

"Algeria engaged in an economic diversification process. The context is not easy, but we are here to succeed together and help you succeed," he stated at the Algeria-France business forum of the 3rd session of the Algeria-France High Level Intergovernmental Committee (CIHN) in the presence of Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, the Algerian Press Service (APS) reported.

He also highlighted "indestructible friendship" between Algeria and France and stressed that "what was has been launched by our two Presidents is sustainable and able to overcome problems some parties want to create sometimes."

"We have faith in Algeria's assets, potential and workforce and we are sure we will carry some weight togther. We are here and our companies are here in strategic fields like health, food industry and transport, and promising sectors like digital industry," he affirmed. 

While recalling France remains the first non-hydrocarbon investor in Algeria and second trade partner, Valls stated that his country is willing to "remain Algeria's first major economic partner." 

6000 French companies work with Algeria and 500 others are installed there," he pointed out.

Partnerships between Algerian France companies "stem from the exceptional partnership between our two countries launched in December 2012 by Presidents Abdelaziz Bouteflika and François Hollande. This partnership must develop", he affirmed.

The development of an exceptional partnership between the two countries also includes the possibility offered to Algerian companies "to naturally find the path toward France."

Valls also recalled France's efforts to ensure best investment opportunities to foreign operators. He also emphasized the role played by companies belonging to Algerians-born French to further strengthen ties between the two countries.

According to him, Algerians-born French "must be mobile and work in both shores of the Mediterranean and mobilize their resources more easily, because this rich and dynamic French-Algerian community (…) is one of our great common chances," he affirmed. 

More generally, Valls spoke of relation between the European and African continents, dubbing Africa "promising continent." He stressed the role Algeria and France could play to strengthen ties between the two continents.

Source : MENA