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Algeria - Export Opportunities for U.S. Firms - Archived Program

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Archived Webinar Available for the March 25, 2009 Program

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Market Brief: Algeria is the second largest country in Africa in terms of land mass, with the second largest population in the North Africa/Middle East region.  Algeria’s market of 35 million inhabitants, energy wealth, and growing demands for modern infrastructure have generated interest from governments and private companies around the world.  Large oil and natural gas resources and an economy growing at 3-5 percent per year have generated almost $200 billion in foreign exchange reserves – more than any country in the region including the Gulf.  In 2008, U.S. exports to Algeria totaled more than $1.1 billion, and the United States ranks as Algeria’s largest bilateral trading partner in the world.

Best Prospect Sectors

Energy: As one of the world's top ten oil and natural gas  producers and a member of OPEC, Algeria's economy is founded on hydrocarbons. Existing upstream and midstream infrastructure is aging and inadequate to meet Algeria's near-term production goals. Two new gas pipelines to Europe will be constructed beginning in 2009.

Environmental: The Algerian Government will spend $2 billion per year on water and environmental infrastructure for the next five years for five new dams, ten desalination plants, a number of water treatment and reclamation plants, remote sensing and safety systems for Algerian dams, high-profile water transfer projects, and rural irrigation.

Medical Device: The Algerian Government is implementing an ambitious plan to modernize its entire healthcare sector. This includes the construction of over 200 new hospitals, health centers and clinics throughout the country, all of which must be supplied with modern diagnostic and imaging equipment, and a wide spectrum of medical disposables and devices. By the end of 2008, the Algerian device market was estimated at $750 million, of which 35% is imported. To help US firms, CS Algeria is organizing a US medical promotion March 23-24, 2009 - see http://www.buyusa.gov/algeria for details.

Infrastructure Projects: Algeria is now focusing on the development of asphalt bitumen, civil engineering techniques and technology to construct roads in arid and desert climates. The latter is particularly sought after for the upcoming high plateau East-West Highway project, which includes 23 connector roads. The Ministry has budgeted $66 billion for these projects during 2005 - 2013.

Information Technology: Algerians are increasingly tech-savvy and interested in technology and know-how transfer in the ICT sector. Government ministries are interested in modernization and digitization of record-keeping. Internet usage, through businesses and Internet cafes, is estimated at over 40 percent. Mobile phones are commonplace, and Algeria is looking toward 4G technology.

WEBINAR AGENDA

Fee: $35,
Duration: 75 minutes
To Order the Webinar Recording, click here, Register 

Questions: Contact Vicki.Tolefree@mail.doc.gov

*Event organized by the U.S. Dept of Commerce's Commercial Service offices in Chicago and Algiers, with the support of the US-Algeria Business Council and the National Association of Manufacturers.