Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, received on Tuesday a delegation from the global Brazilian company WEG, led by the company’s General Manager, Francisco Martinez, where they discussed strengthening technical and technological collaboration.
Also present were the CEO of the Sonatrach Group, Noureddine Daoudi, CEO of the Sonarem Group, Reda Belhadj, as well as senior ministry officials.
The meeting included a review of the state of cooperation and partnership between WEG and both Sonatrach and Sonaram, with discussions on prospects for expanding it in the fields of oil, gas, and the mining industry. Both parties focused on strengthening technical and technological collaboration, particularly in the areas of equipment manufacturing, mining processing, seawater desalination and related equipment, in addition to developing advanced digital solutions for the management and operation of facilities, the Algerian Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mines said in a statement.
The meeting also addressed the assessment of business and investment opportunities in Algeria, with an emphasis on the importance of strengthening WEG’s presence through projects aimed at localizing the manufacture and maintenance of equipment. This approach aligns with the memorandum of understanding signed between Sonatrach and WEG in May 2023, the statement said.
The two sides also gave special attention to Sonarem’s mining projects, particularly those related to integrating modern technologies into the exploitation and processing of mineral resources, as well as the use of renewable energies—such as solar power and energy-storage solutions—in oil, gas, and mining projects. The discussions also covered a project to establish a specialized center for the maintenance of electrical equipment in Algeria, aimed at strengthening national capabilities in advanced technical maintenance.
During the discussions, Arkab emphasized that Algeria offers broad partnership and investment opportunities in the hydrocarbons and mining sectors, both domestically and at the African level. He stressed the need to move toward concrete projects and to establish a clear roadmap to ensure their implementation as soon as possible, with a particular focus on seawater desalination projects, promoting local content, and specialized training—especially in the manufacturing and maintenance of equipment.
For his part, Francisco Martinez reaffirmed WEG’s readiness to strengthen its cooperation with Algeria and to develop long-term investments, expressing the company’s desire to make Algeria a regional hub for its industrial and technological activities in the area, through technology transfer, exchange of expertise, and the development of maintenance and training capacities.
