Charles Rivkin: “The US is ready to help Algeria in shale gas exploitation, if need be”

US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, Charles Rivkin, has underlined during a visit to Algiers the willingness of the US to back up Algeria in its ongoing economic diversification process.

Mr Charles Rivkin, leading with the US Secretary of State assistant for Near Eastern Affairs Anne Patterson, a delegation of thirty American businessmen to Algeria, hoped to boost Algerian-American economic relations through new mutually-beneficial partnerships in various sectors of activity.

“There are manifold sectors of the Algerian economy that keenly interest US companies, including infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, telecommunications, energy and transport,” he noted during a press conference at the US embassy premises in Algiers.

The US official also pointed to the unprecedented level of Algerian imports from the United States in 2014, which reached USD 2.6 billion, a hike of up 45%.

Mr Rivkin also underlined the need to identify obstacles that may impede the strengthening of economic cooperation, hoping for “more visibility” for small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) of his country, regarding the business climate in Algeria.

To a question from reporters about the projected shale gas exploitation by Algeria, he said that the decision rests with the Algerian State which has to decide on this issue, and expressed readiness of the US government to assist it at the technological and technical levels, in case it goes ahead with the launch of the project.

“Shale gas has contributed greatly to the economic growth of the United States, reduced energy dependence and helped to curb unemployment and create job opportunities”, he indicated.

“We aren’t here to give prescriptions on the projected shale gas exploitation to the Algerian side, but we are ready to provide US know-how and expertise if need be”, Mr Rivkin emphasized.