The Algerian-South African economic forum concluded on Thursday evening in Algiers with an agreement to organize an Algerian products exhibition in Johannesburg during the first quarter of 2025. The forum also adopted a joint strategy to promote trade exchanges and partnerships between economic operators from both countries.
According to the final communiqué read by Rabah Fassih, Director of Economic Exchange Promotion and Support at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, a series of activities will be implemented soon to promote Algerian products in South Africa, including the aforementioned exhibition.
Both the Algerian and South African parties agreed to participate in economic and investment events in each other’s countries, such as the Algiers International Fair (FIA) and the fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), scheduled in Algeria from September 4-10, 2025.
The second Algerian-South African Economic Forum is set to take place next year in Johannesburg, featuring a joint business council meeting, as outlined in the communiqué which concluded the forum’s proceedings held alongside the seventh session of the Algerian-South African Joint High Commission for Cooperation.
The focus was also on the importance of exchanging experiences and expertise across various economic sectors, highlighting initiatives that “reflect the shared commitment of Algeria and South Africa to build a sustainable, diversified, and mutually beneficial economic partnership, in line with their common vision of enhancing prosperity across the African continent.”
The forum saw participation from over 300 businesspeople and economic operators from both countries, covering sectors like agriculture, automotive industry, pharmaceutical production, chemical industries, energy and renewable energy, mining, tourism, and information and communication technologies (ICT).
Speakers praised the business and investment climates in both nations, which encourage economic operators to strengthen their trade and economic relationships, especially following both countries’ accession to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative.
The forum included discussions on the investment climate in both countries and ways to leverage market opportunities. The Algerian Investment Promotion Agency (AAPI) highlighted investment advantages in Algeria, while the South African side provided insights into investment opportunities in South Africa.
Samir Deradji, the Acting Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion, reviewed the state of trade between Algeria and South Africa, noting that it does not yet reflect the depth of their bilateral relations, hence the need to intensify efforts to increase trade volume.
This forum, coinciding with the state visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Algeria, facilitated business-to-business (B2B) meetings between economic operators from both countries.
The event was co-chaired by Algeria’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion, Mohamed Boukhari, and South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Parks Tau, with the presence of the Director General of Customs, Major General Abdelhafid Bakhouche, and economic operators from both countries.
Algerian products showcase
South African trade fairs
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