Algeria's “Hamoud Boualem” criticises local manufacturers over US companies

Algerian soft drink manufacturer “Hamoud Boualem” has decided to withrdaw from the Algerian Association of Drinks' Manufacturers due to hold its general assembly on Thursday, chairman of the board of directors said.

• “Hamoud Boualem refuses to turn the Association into a tool to defend the interests of the US drinks companies via local corporations which try to take over the Association at the expense of Algerian consumers’ interests,” said Hessni Toufik in a statement published on Wednesday.
• “My company was hurt by economic problems like all the manufacturers but I refuse to hide behind those pretexts to punish the Algerian consumers,” he added.
• “If there is any assistance from the Algerian company, it must go to the local companies and not to foreign ones.”
• Hamoud Boualem’s representative said other members of the Association slammed him because he defended Algeria’s interests.
• He added that the foreign manufacturer members will not defend Algeria’s interests whatever the circumstances.
• He also says wine manufacturer Castel Alegria is putting pressure on Algerian drink manufacturers to refuse accepting Hamoud Boualem group to head the Association.
• “Castel’s interests are different from those of the Algerian manufacturers who do not produce wine.”