By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Algerian businesspeople have extended a hand of collaboration to their South African counterparts during the African Investment and Business Forum currently underway in Algeria.
This came out during a meeting held between South African and the Algerian business chambers on the margins of the investment and business forum.
Vice President of the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Rhiad Amour, said Algeria had decided to build real partnerships with Africa in order to create added value as Africans.
According to Amour, intra-Africa trade accounted for only 10% compared to 80% of trade between American states and 50% in Europe.
He highlighted that the African Investment and Business Forum had been the first after the economic independence of Algeria, and that what was important was the action that businesspeople from the two countries were going to take after the forum.
Amour said Algeria wanted to diversify its economy and move away from reliance on oil alone. He invited the South African business community to bring their skills to Algeria and make partnerships. In the same breath, Amour urged Algerian business to also go to South Africa to explore business opportunities.
The President of the Black Business Council (BBC), Ms Danisa Baloyi expressed appreciation to the Algerians for extending a hand of cooperation and collaboration to the South African businesspeople. She said her highlights of the forum had been the congregation of businesspeople from across the continent who turned out in numbers.
“This shows the seriousness and commitment that we as Africans have to do business with each other. It is time that even the SADC businesspeople collaborate. I urge our businesspeople to please make follow-ups with the Algerians. Doors have been opened, the ball is in our court,” she added.
The delegation participated in workshops, business-to-business meetings and had an opportunity to see an exhibition of Algerian products.
Adedapo Adesanya