The Tunisian Head of Government Ahmed Hachani and his Algerian counterpart Ayman Ben Abderrahmane, co-chaired, this morning, Wednesday, October 4, 2023, in Algiers, the works of the Tunisian-Algerian Economic Forum for business leaders.

The Tunisian Head of Government said that Tunisia and Algeria have no choice, in the face of international changes, but to unite their efforts and step up their cooperation in order to achieve the economic integration they are seeking. "This is an urgent necessity in order to achieve an effective strategic partnership," he added, 

He said this forum, held on the occasion of the 22nd session of the High Joint Committee, provides an appropriate framework for Tunisian and Algerian business leaders to meet. It reflects the importance both governments attach to the role of the private sector in building active partnerships. The aim is to take advantage of the existing opportunities, differential advantages and real potential in both countries.

While stressing the exemplary nature of Tunisian-Algerian relations, the Tunisian Head of Government acknowledged that the trade balance and economic cooperation between the two countries could be further improved.

In this regard, he reiterated his call for the speedy creation of a joint working group to update and improve the preferential trade agreement. He expressed his desire to convene the technical meeting of the Tunisian-Algerian working team to study the creation of a free trade zone along the Tunisian-Algerian borders.

For his part, the Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Ben Abdelrahman said he is looking forward to the Tunisian-Algerian Economic Forum for Business Leaders to produce results and outcomes that match the high and distinguished level of the political relations that unite the two countries and peoples.

He said that the holding of this important economic event on the sidelines of the 22nd session of the Algerian-Tunisian High Commission for Cooperation underlines the keenness and determination of the leadership of the two countries to give a new impetus to bilateral cooperation and partnership and to take it to wider horizons and levels commensurate with the enormous capacities of the two countries.

He noted that the large government delegation accompanying the Tunisian Prime Minister reflects the importance that Tunisia attaches to the development of stronger and deeper economic relations with Algeria.

He also explained that Algeria's strategic location, like that of Tunisia, makes it a link between the continents of Africa and Asia, through the Middle East, as well as a gateway to Europe.

He said that trade between the two countries in the fuel sector had increased by 54% in the first seven months of this year, a figure that is likely to increase in the coming months and years as a result of the efforts made by both countries to coordinate policies and overcome obstacles in order to increase trade to the desired level.

With regard to investment, the Algerian Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction with the opportunities for economic integration between Algeria and Tunisia and the advantages offered by the two countries' markets. These will provide the basis for a new start for the bilateral partnership, the establishment of lasting business relations and the conclusion of win-win deals, based on the firm and shared conviction of the two countries that this forum will mark the beginning of a new era in trade and economic relations between the two countries and between Algerian and Tunisian businessmen and investors.