Algerian business leaders hold meetings in Rome

ROME: A delegation of business leaders from the Algerian Economic Renewal Council held a meeting in Rome with Valentino Valentini, Italy’s deputy minister of economic development in charge of business.

It was the first official meeting with an Algerian delegation by a member of Italy’s new government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The delegation represented sectors such as agriculture, construction, pharmaceuticals, tourism and oil.

Valentini underlined the “excellent political relations between Italy and Algeria,” and expressed his determination to “intensely raise the level of economic partnership through Italian investments, transfer of know-how and innovative technologies, particularly in the sectors of agriculture, mining, tourism and textiles,” according to a communique issued by the Ministry of Economic Development.

He recalled the “already very intense cooperation,” and the official bilateral meetings that were held in both countries at the highest institutional levels. He vowed even greater cooperation “which will benefit both our countries.”

Valentini also recalled that Italian Ambassador in Algiers Giovanni Pugliese called for an increase in flights by ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier, between the two countries.

Council President Kamel Moula presented the new Algerian Code for Investments, and pledged the council’s support for Italian investors in identifying Algerian partners for the creation of joint ventures.

“An ambitious co-production partnership can open the doors to joint exports of manufactured and certified products to Europe and Africa,” he said.

The council said in a communique that by meeting the delegation, Italy’s new government confirmed the “great interest given to strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.”

The delegation also met in Rome with Barbara Beltrame Giacomello, deputy president of Confindustria, the Italian association of entrepreneurs.