UK-Algeria Trade & Investment Forum 2014

On December 10th, at The Waldorf Hilton Hotel, London, Developing Markets Associates (DMA) in association with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Government of the Republic of Algeria hosted the UK-Algeria Trade & Investment Forum 2014. This highly acclaimed event was attended by over 400 delegates including key stakeholders and high level representatives from both the public and private sectors.

Welcome addresses were given by HE Andrew Noble, British Ambassador to Algeria; HE Amar Abba, Ambassador of Algeria to the United Kingdom; and Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, Developing Markets Associates. These were followed by keynote addresses from Lord Risby, Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Algeria; Rt Hon Philip Hammond, Foreign Secretary, UK Government; and Hon Abdessalem Bouchoureb, Minister of Industry and Mines; all of which set an excellent tone for the day.

The keynote address was followed by a high level investment panel consisting of Lord Risby, Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Algeria; Hon Abdessalem Bouchoureb, Minister of Industry and Mines; Hon Amara Benyounes, Minister of Trade; Tarek Rabah, Area Vice President Middle East & Africa; Ayman Asfari, Group Chief Executive, Petrofac; and Chris Tooley, Chief Executive, Lycamobile.

The opening session, chaired by Alderman Fiona Woolf, Lord Mayor of the City of London, 2013-14, provided an overview of Algeria’s current economic performance and the country’s objectives for ensuring long-term economic growth. This session include presentations from Abdelhaq Bedjaoui, Director General, Ministry of Finance; Abdelkrim Mansouri, Director General, ANDI; Isaad Rebrab, President, Cevital; and Arezki Djadour, Counsel, Bouchemla Lanouar & Associés (DLA Piper).

The next two sessions provided an overview of investment opportunities in Energy & Industry and Infrastructure. These sessions were chaired by Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, Developing Markets Associates; and Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, Former Foreign Office Minister for North Africa respectively. The attendees were treated to presentations from Said Sahnoun, Acting Chief Executive, Sonatrach; Noureddine Boutarfa, Chief Executive, Sonelgaz; John Broman, Vice President Operations, Anadarko; Ayman Asfari, Group Chief Executive, Petrofac; Hesham Mekawi, Regional President, BP North Africa; Amar Agadir, Director General, Ministry of Industry and Mines; Mehdi Bendimered, CEO, SPS; Lakhdar Rekhroukh, CEO, Cosider; Kleber Silva, Executive Vice President - Head of Iron Ore, ArcelorMittal; Riad Fechkeur, Founder, RedMed Group; Saad Dama, CEO, Mobilis and Chris Tooley, Chief Executive, Lyca Mobile.

The fourth and final session provided an overview of the Health sector and was chaired by Henry Bellingham MP, Former Minister for Africa, UK Government. Presentations were given Hafed Hammou, Director General for Pharmacy and Health Equipment; Habib Bennaceur, Country President Algeria, AstraZeneca; and Professor Chris Evans, Group Chairman, Excalibur.

Closing remarks were given by Hon Abdessalem Bouchoureb, Minister of Industry and Mines and Tobias Ellwood MP, Minister for North Africa and The Middle East, UK Government, before guests were invited to take part in a Gala Reception sponsored by Lycamobile.

Programme of the Day

UK-Algeria Trade & Investment Forum 2014 
Warldorf Hilton Hotel, London, December 10th 2014

8.00am - 9.00am: Registration & Refreshments 

9.00am - 9.20am: Welcome Addresses

HE Andrew Noble, British Ambassador to Algeria
HE Amar Abba, Ambassador of Algeria to the United Kingdom
Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, Developing Markets Associates

9.20am - 9.45am: Key Note Addresses

Lord Risby, Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Algeria
Rt Hon Philip Hammond, Foreign Secretary, UK Government
Hon Abdessalem Bouchoureb, Minister of Industry and Mines

9.45am - 10.15am: High Level Investment Panel

Lord Risby, Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy to Algeria
Hon Abdessalem Bouchoureb, Minister of Industry and Mines
Hon Amara Benyounes, Minister of Trade
Tarek Rabah, Area Vice President Middle East & Africa
Ayman Asfari, Group Chief Executive, Petrofac
Chris Tooley, Chief Executive, Lycamobile

10.15am - 11.15am: Session 1 - Economic Outlook & Financial Sector Development
Chair: Alderman Fiona Woolf, Lord Mayor of the City of London, 2013-14

The session provided an overview of Algeria’s current economic performance and the country’s objectives for ensuring long-term economic growth. Attention was given to the government’s efforts to modernise the banking sector and enhance access to finance, as well as opportunities for UK PLC in financial services.

Speakers:

Abdelhaq Bedjaoui, Director General, Ministry of Finance
Abdelkrim Mansouri, Director General, ANDI
Isaad Rebrab, President, Cevital
Arezki Djadour, Counsel, Bouchemla Lanouar & Associés (DLA Piper)

Q&A Session

11.15am - 11.45am: Refreshments Break - Sponsored by Clarke Energy

11.45am - 1.45pm: Session 2 - Investing in Energy
Chair: Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, Developing Markets Associates

Algeria is Africa’s leading natural gas supplier to Europe and is among the continent’s top three oil producers. The session covered:

Algeria’s production outlook, key projects and the regulatory regime for foreign operators
The development of Algeria’s midstream and downstream infrastructure
Plans to double Algeria’s electricity generation capacity in the next three to four years
The steps being taken to address Algeria’s renewable energy needs

Speakers:

Said Sahnoun, Acting Chief Executive, Sonatrach
Noureddine Boutarfa, Chief Executive, Sonelgaz
John Broman, Vice President Operations, Anadarko
Ayman Asfari, Group Chief Executive, Petrofac
Hesham Mekawi, Regional President, BP North Africa

Q & A Session

1.15pm - 2.15pm: Networking Lunch Break

2.15pm - 3.30pm: Session 3 - Investing in Industry & Infrastructure
Chair: Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP, Former Foreign Office Minister for North Africa

The Algerian government has made huge commitments to developing the country’s industrial base and infrastructure – seen as vital for helping to diversify the economy away from reliance on oil and gas. It has recently announced its intentions for a new five-year investment plan. The session focused on the opportunities that exist for UK and international companies in mining, transport, construction and ICT.

Speakers:

Amar Agadir, Director General, Ministry of Industry and Mines
Mehdi Bendimered, CEO, SPS
Lakhdar Rekhroukh, CEO, Cosider
Kleber Silva, Executive Vice President - Head of Iron Ore, ArcelorMittal
Riad Fechkeur, Founder, RedMed Group
Saad Dama, CEO, Mobilis
Chris Tooley, Chief Executive, Lyca Mobile

Q&A Session

3.30pm - 4.00pm: Refreshment Break - Sponsored by Petroceltic International

4.00pm - 5.10pm: Session 4 - Investing in Health
Chair: Henry Bellingham MP, Former Minister for Africa, UK Government

Amongst the key sectors leading Algeria’s transformation away from a hydrocarbon-based economy are education and healthcare. International interest is on the increase with several UK companies already having made significant investments.

Speakers: