BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algerian Business Council Denounces French Authorities’ Interference in Private Investment Projects, Citing Contradictions and Incoherence in Paris’ Stance on Bilateral Relations
Algiers, Algeria | April 15th, 2025 — The Algerian Economic Renewal Council (CREA) announced Tuesday the official cancellation of its scheduled visit to France and its meeting with the French Business Confederation (MEDEF), citing a politically motivated move by French authorities that directly undermined an Algerian-French investment initiative.
In a strongly worded statement, CREA revealed that its decision followed the “highly discouraged participation” of a French maritime transport executive in a planned investment mission to Algeria. The discouragement came as a directive from French authorities, purportedly due to the current “diplomatic tensions” between Algeria and France.
“This cancellation—engineered and justified by the French government under the pretext of a crisis between the two nations—stands in stark contradiction to official declarations from Paris calling for calm and the normalization of Algerian-French relations,” the statement said.
CREA expressed deep concern over the incoherence of France’s stance, pointing to the paradox of Paris lamenting the weak presence of French firms in Algeria’s international tenders, while simultaneously obstructing private-sector efforts to initiate cooperation.
“It is profoundly contradictory that the same French authorities expressing concern about limited French economic presence in Algeria would actively deter entrepreneurs from engaging in meaningful bilateral investment,” the Council noted.
In light of what it described as “inconsistent behavior and negative signals sent to Algerian economic stakeholders,” CREA concluded that it was “neither timely nor appropriate to proceed with its visit to France or with the scheduled meeting with MEDEF.”
Reaffirming its commitment to principled and balanced international engagement, the Algerian employers’ organization emphasized that it remains “fully mobilized to defend the interests of the national economy and its actors.” CREA also reiterated its unwavering support for partnerships grounded in reciprocity, transparency, and mutual respect—principles it asserts are indispensable for sustainable and sovereign economic cooperation.
