Patrushev discussed cooperation in industry and agriculture in Algeria
The 12th meeting of the mixed intergovernmental Russian-Algerian Commission was held in Algeria. The meeting on January 30 was chaired by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev and Algerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Fisheries Youssef Cherfa.
During the meeting, the parties discussed cooperation between the two states in energy, agrarian sector, industry, transportation and pharmaceuticals. As Patrushev noted, the dialog conducted within the framework of the commission has proved its effectiveness.
"Algeria is one of Russia's leading trade partners in Africa. Only in the first 10 months of last year our trade turnover amounted to $1.7 billion. Its basis is agricultural products and food. Exports of Russian agricultural products grew last year and amounted to more than $850 million, including through increased supplies of barley, lentils, soybean oil and milk powder," the deputy prime minister said.
Patrushev added that Russia is working on increasing the supply of halal products to Algeria, and in the future Russian animal vaccines may also be supplied there. In addition, both countries are leading suppliers of oil and gas and also have mineral reserves.
"By combining our competencies and resources, we will be able to produce high quality products. I am confident that joint efforts will give an additional impetus to strengthening cooperation and developing trade and economic ties," the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out.
It was also noted that there is a growing interest among Algerians to study at Russian universities. In the current academic year, almost 2 thousand students from this country are studying in the Russian Federation, and quotas for them are increasing. In the future, this may become an incentive for the exchange of qualified personnel.
Earlier, on January 29, Patrushev held talks with Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboun. The meeting discussed cooperation in such areas as finance, banking, industry, energy and agriculture.
The mixed intergovernmental Russian-Algerian commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation has been working since 2013. It has been chaired by Dmitry Patrushev on the Russian side since February 5, 2020.
