Algeria cooperates well with Indonesia<\/p>\n
By Oei Eng Goan<\/p>\n
Forty years ago today, the Algerian people sparked a
\nrevolution to liberate their country from oppression and colonial
\nrule. The revolution brought them victory and thus the Democratic
\nPeople's Republic of Algeria came into being. Observing the
\nAlgerian national day, The Jakarta Post conducted an interview
\nwith Algerian Ambassador to Jakarta, Abdallah Baali, focusing on
\nIndonesian-Algerian relations.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Over the past few years political and trade ties
\nbetween Indonesia and Algeria have markedly increased as both
\ncountries have had very good rapport in almost every
\ninternational meeting.<\/p>\n
\"We have always enjoyed the best of relations with Indonesia
\ndating back to our struggle for independence,\" Algeria's
\nAmbassador Abdallah Baali told The Jakarta Post over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Ambassador Baali said that bilateral ties have progressed a
\ngreat deal as shown by the multiple meetings between foreign
\nministers and officials of the two countries.<\/p>\n
The ambassador also said that as members of the Organization
\nof Islamic Conference and the Group of 15 developing nations,
\nAlgeria and Indonesia have put their heads together to strongly
\nsupport the importance of a solid South-South cooperation.<\/p>\n
Another factor that binds the two countries long-standing
\nfriendship is the fact that Algeria, like Indonesia, had to fight
\nmany a bloody battle to drive foreign powers from their beloved
\nland, during which more than a million of its people perished for
\nthe cause of the country's independence.<\/p>\n
Political observers here agree that Algeria and Indonesia,
\nendowed with rich hydrocarbon resources, have exploited their oil
\nand natural gas resources to finance infrastructure and
\ndevelopment projects, turning their countries into modern nations
\nwhile improving their people's standard of living.<\/p>\n
Matter-of-factly, responding to the rapid changes currently
\ntaking place globally, Algeria has, since December 1991, opened
\nitself to foreign companies to explore and exploit its oil and
\ngas resources. As a result 31 contracts have been signed since
\nand the U.S. oil corporation, Atlantic Richfield Corporation,
\nwill invest one billion dollars in Algeria.<\/p>\n
Just a year ago it introduced a new code of commerce fully
\nliberalizing foreign trade in a bid to woo more foreign investors
\ninto putting a stake into the country, which is the gateway to
\nthe important markets of the Maghreb, Africa, Europe and the
\nMiddle East.<\/p>\n
When asked about bilateral trade between the two countries,
\nAmbassador Baali said the level of trade exchange has surged from
\naround US$53 million in 1992 and is expected to reach more than
\n$150 million this year.<\/p>\n
As many Algerians enjoy drinking strong black coffee served in
\nsmall cups, it is understandable that the country with a
\npopulation of around 28 million has an annual coffee consumption
\nof over 100,000 tons.<\/p>\n
\"Every year we import 70,000 tons of coffee from Indonesia,
\nnearly 70 percent of our total coffee consumption,\" he said,
\nadding that every year his country also imports other commodities
\nsuch as plywood and tea, and, in the foreseeable future, sugar.<\/p>\n
During exchanged visits by the countries' trade missions, as
\nwell as contacts made by the Algerian and Indonesia ministers of
\nagriculture, negotiations are underway for Algeria to buy an
\nadditional 10,000 tons of coffee annually.<\/p>\n
According to the ambassador, his country, which mainly exports
\nphosphate to Indonesia, is also trying to sell agricultural
\nproducts, such as oranges and dates, for which Algeria is very
\nwell-known.<\/p>\n
\"It was also agreed during the last meeting of our
\nagriculture minister and food minister with their Indonesian
\ncounterparts that the two countries should have a more balanced
\ntrade. At present it largely favors Indonesia,\" the ambassador
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He also said that to further enhanced bilateral relations,
\nAlgerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Salam Dembri will
\nvisit Indonesia before the end of this year to hold talks with
\nhis opposite number, Ali Alatas, and other Indonesian high-
\nranking officials, during which it is expected that the two
\nministers will sign five agreements covering trade, information
\nand cultural exchanges.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/algeria-cooperates-well-with-indonesia-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}