Algerian Radio
The Algerian Embassy in the United Kingdom organized a meeting between Algerian and British economic operators on the sidelines of the International Food & Drink Event (IFE) in London, held from March 30 to April 1, with the participation of around twenty national economic operators from both the public and private sectors.
Held under the theme "Agriculture and Food Industry in Algeria: Building Bridges with British Partners," the meeting saw the attendance of nearly 150 professionals from the food industry sector. They were joined by the UK Prime Minister's newly appointed Trade Envoy to Algeria, Ms. Yasmin Qureshi, along with several British trade officials, aiming to connect Algerian operators with their British counterparts.
Also in attendance were the President and CEO of the West London Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Chris Durkin and Mr. Alan Rides, respectively, alongside the Acting Secretary-General of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Rita Massoud, and the event organizer, Mr. James Murray, in addition to several representatives from the UK Department for Business and Trade.
The strong British presence at this event reflects the growing interest in the economic opportunities offered by Algeria, embodying a shared commitment to strengthening economic ties and establishing a fruitful partnership across various fields.
On this occasion, the Algerian Ambassador to London, Mr. Nourredine Yezid, highlighted the pivotal role of the agriculture and agri-food sectors within the ambitious strategy to diversify and modernize the Algerian economy. He emphasized that these sectors currently represent about 19 percent of the non-hydrocarbon Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reflecting their valuable contribution to wealth creation.
The meeting's program also included video presentations showcasing the extensive agricultural modernization program launched by the Algerian Government. This initiative encompasses expanding irrigated areas, improving water resource management, developing agricultural technology, progressively digitizing value chains, and structuring agri-food branches—efforts that contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of Algerian products in regional and international markets.
Furthermore, the event provided an excellent opportunity for British partners to meet directly with Algerian producers, identify promising areas of cooperation, and build sustainable business relationships. It also served as a suitable framework to explore integration opportunities in strategic areas such as sustainable food production, agricultural technology (agritech), energy transition, smart logistics, and the industrial processing of natural products.
Mr. Yezid affirmed that the United Kingdom remains a reliable partner for Algeria and a recognized leading hub in research, innovation, and advanced agricultural technologies. He added that the synergy of capabilities opens wide horizons for developing joint projects that will create value and generate employment opportunities.
In the same context, the UK Government's Trade Envoy, Ms. Qureshi, expressed her admiration for the quality of Algerian products. She affirmed her determination to exert every effort in her new role and work towards removing all obstacles that might hinder the development of bilateral trade relations. She also underscored the British Government's full readiness to support Algeria in its economic diversification policy, showing particular interest in sectors such as agriculture, industry, tourism, and mining.
During the event, the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACI), represented by its Director General, Mr. Chakib Kouidri, and the West London Chamber of Commerce, led by its CEO, Mr. Alan Rides, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a fruitful cooperation between the two parties.
As a reminder, around twenty Algerian public and private enterprises participated in the International Food & Drink Event (IFE) in London, showcasing a diverse range of high-quality local products. This reflects the remarkable development witnessed by the national agri-food sector, as several companies successfully concluded contracts to export fresh produce, dates, and olive oil.
