Algeria-Saudi Arabia: Political Sensitivity VS Economic Interest

Amid the political momentum about the Algerian-Saudi relationships, which were characterised by Algeria’s refusal to vote on the classification of Hassan Nasrallah on the blacklist, and following the visit of Ban Ki-moon to Western Sahara, and the declaration of the Saudi authorities’ solidarity with the Moroccan State, and investment in the occupied territories, a large delegation of Saudis businessmen is expected to visite Algeria on March 21,22,23 , headed by the chairman of the Saudi Chambers’ Council.

Visit axes, according to Echorouk information, on the joint business council that was held between the two countries, while the Algerian authorities do not receive until now, the name of the Saudi political official, who will accompany the delegation.

Debate is expected to open on the partnership files in the field of industry, tourism, hostelry and services, as it seems that the political dispute, will have no impact on the process of economic partnership between Algeria and Saudi Arabia, while Saudi Arabia could use the economic side to neutralise the environment between the two countries, especially as it asked the Algerian party to hold a joint business council in the near future, to be agreed on the date of March 21, for the arrival of the Saudi mission, which will include the largest businessmen in the region with the possibility of accompaniment by a Saudi political official.

In this context, the Deputy Chairman of the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Riad Amour told Echorouk: “The meeting will be held at Aurassi Hotel, and is expected to be attended by the largest Saudi business, accompanied by political officials, whose names are not yet revealed, to share talks with Algerian officials and businessmen.”

“Most important economic sectors of interest to them is the tourism, hostelry and services. The meeting will notice Saudi concerns about the legal side. Most important problem that will be discussed is the visa delays which hinders the investors movement, and the bureaucracy of the Algerian administration, which are the same concerns of all investors who wish to enter the Algerian market.”

On the other hand, a spokesman for the joint business councils revealed that the beginning will be with the United Arab Emirates and a meeting is expected to be held in Abu Dhabi, on April, and then Tunisia to discuss the economic partnership and cooperation between the two countries, as this comes after statements of a number of Algerian officials about the failure of the Algerian Arab partnership, which remains locked in paper maquettes for projects that are brought by the Gulf businessmen to remain unrealized.