JETRO expresses interest in investment partnerships with Algeria
ALGIERS – Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energy, Mohamed Arkab, received on Monday a delegation from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), according to a statement from the ministry.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the “historic and outstanding” relationship between Algeria and Japan in the fields of energy, mining, and renewable energy, emphasizing the importance of expanding cooperation and exploring new opportunities in these areas.
At the start of the meeting, Minister Arkab provided an overview of Algeria’s energy, mining, and renewable energy sectors, highlighting the key elements of the sector’s development program. This includes new legal and regulatory frameworks in the hydrocarbons and mining sectors designed to attract foreign investment and strengthen strategic partnerships.
The Algerian Minister highlighted the significant opportunities for collaboration between Algerian and Japanese companies in the oil and gas sector, particularly in exploration, development, petrochemicals, and digitalization, as well as efforts to reduce emissions and lower the carbon footprint.
Minister Arkab also discussed opportunities in electricity production, transmission, and conversion, as outlined in the statement.
Additionally, both sides explored the significant potential in new and renewable energy, particularly photovoltaic solar energy and green hydrogen. The national desalination program was also highlighted as one of Algeria’s top priorities in the short- and medium-term, along with the development of local manufacturing for related equipment.
In the mining sector, Minister Arkab stressed the need to develop Algeria’s abundant mining resources, urging Japanese companies to invest in areas such as iron, phosphate, zinc, and rare earth elements. He also underscored the importance of knowledge transfer and training in research, exploration, and the enhancement of mineral resources.
The Japanese delegation affirmed that Japanese companies are keen to invest in Algeria, thanks to the favourable investment climate. Accordingly, it was agreed to arrange meetings with Sonatrach and Sonelgaz to further discuss concrete projects aimed at capitalizing on available opportunities and establishing mutually beneficial investment partnerships.
