Source : Viet Nam News, 04/11/2008
On the occasion of Algeria’s National Day on November 1, the nation’s Ambassador to
Viet Nam, Naceur Boucherit, spoke to Viet Nam News.
 |
| Algeria’s Ambassador
to Viet Nam, Naceur Boucherit |
Viet
Nam’s export turnover with Algeria in the first six months of the year
exceeded US$37.8 million, which was 14 per cent more than the same period last
year. What are the most popular Vietnamese goods in Algeria? Do you have any
suggestions to boost Viet Nam’s exports to Algeria?
Two-way trade values have
registered an increase over the last few years. The main Vietnamese products
exported to the Algerian market were agricultural, notably rice, coffee, tea,
pepper, and cashews. This array of exports could be widened, particularly to
aquaculture products. Vietnamese importers are looking for Algeria’s
competitive products, including petrol, steel, chemical components, equipment
and machines, as well as agricultural products such as wine, dates, and olives.
However, bilateral trade
between the two nations has remained relatively modest considering the potential
of the two nations.
The two countries should
concentrate on finding ways to take advantage of their economies to build a
co-operation strategy that is mutually beneficial and able to build on the
friendly relations that have always linked Algeria and Viet Nam.
Our two countries should
pursue economic exchanges to encourage business. For example we could:
– Encourage economic
entities of the two countries to increase economic exchange missions to seek
opportunities. Each country’s chamber of commerce can help to implement the
2004 agreement signed in Algeria.
– Provide information
about each country’s economic opportunities, mainly on exchange and finance to
commercial and investment regulatory bodies.
– Pursue application of
the agricultural co-operation agreement signed in Algeria in 2004. Also,
continue to pursue agreements in other sectors, including transportation,
notably air and sea, to bring the two countries closer together and facilitate
exchange of goods.
Over the last few years
several Vietnamese delegations have participated in seminars hosted by Algerian
organisations, most notably visits by high-level officials to the seventh joint
meeting in March 2006.
Algerian businessmen in
both the private and public sectors visited Viet Nam for the first time a few
months ago. Their activities in Ha Noi and HCM City were attended by several
Vietnamese enterprises from diverse sectors, and have helped to create a new
dynamic of exchange between Algeria and Viet Nam.
|
Algeria
at a glance |
|
Area:
2,381,741sq.km
Population: over 33.7 million
Capital: Algiers
Language: Arabic, French, Berber dialects
Currency: Algerian dinar
National Flag: divided vertically with green and white, with a red
crescent and star in the centre. |
How
about your plans for cultural programmes between Algeria and Viet Nam?
We now hope to build
cultural exchanges in addition to our current political, economic and commercial
ties with Viet Nam. Our two countries have agreed to hold cultural exchanges
between 2008-2010.
This programme aims to
intensify friendly relations between our countries and create a co-operative
environment for exchange of cultural experience in areas such as film,
calligraphy, painting, fine arts, libraries, museums and the preservation of
traditional cultures.
The two ministries in
charge of culture will be able to initiate and co-ordinate common activities to
help promote and develop bilateral cultural exchanges through exhibitions of
paintings and sculpture, film weeks and participation in national and
international film festivals.
Although cultural
exchanges do not typically have a lot of funding at their disposal, there are
some activities that don’t require substantial resources. Economic groups from
each country should take part in the promotion of cultural exchange and sponsor
cultural activities to do their part.
Algeria
has carried out a $16 billion project to modernise its railway system from now
to 2025. Can you brief our readers on this endeavour?
 |
| Algerians swim at a
beach in Raghaia, about 30km east of Algiers.— AFP/VNS Photos |
A vast infrastructure
programme has been underway in the last few years with unprecedented
mobilisation of public funds. Concurrent with an economic improvement programme
between 2001-2004, notably in agriculture, hydropower and education, Algeria
launched a complimentary programme (2005-2009) to connect the Wilayas
(Provinces) of the south and high plains. The total cost of these massive
projects invested by the Algerian state from 2001-2009 has grown to almost $200
billion.
You have cited in your
question the modernisation of our railway infrastructure, but other projects
should be noted, including tramways for several Algerian cities, the East-West
Highway, a metro, and the construction of a million homes and several
universities.
I would like to highlight
two principal projects:
First, the East-West
Highway: This is considered Algeria’s project of the century. Spanning 1,216km
to connect Annaba (which borders Tunisia) and Tlemcen (which borders Morocco),
it will run through 24 provinces. Its construction has several benefits,
including a boost in activities among the construction and public sectors.
Around 100,000 jobs have been created and new investment opportunities have been
hatched for the development of Africa.
Second, considerable
advancements have been made in a project commissioned by the President of the
Republic to build 1 million homes. To date domestic and foreign enterprises have
participated in this $18 billion project.
These programmes are just
examples of several throughout the country. They constitute, in my opinion, a
possible entrance for Vietnamese enterprises into the Algerian market.
Vietnamese enterprises
have a good chance to win contracts thanks to their capacity, experience and
because they have already contributed positively to several infrastructure
development projects in Algeria. They should be responding to tenders for more
contracts. — VNS
