BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Ali Aoun, the Minister of Industry and Pharmaceutical Production, yesterday, welcomed a delegation from the Stellantis group at his ministry. Led by Samir Cherfan, the Director of the Middle East and Africa region of the group, the delegation discussed the progress of the Fiat plant construction project in Oran.
According to a press release from the ministry, this meeting was held as part of the ongoing follow-up on the project to build the Fiat vehicle production unit in Tafraoui, located in the Wilaya of Oran. The representatives of the Stellantis group, which includes the Italian brand Fiat, provided a detailed update on the project during the meeting. Both parties had previously announced their goal of commissioning the plant before the end of 2023 when they signed the partnership agreement. The delegation also presented their development plans, focusing on investments, subcontracting, training, and export opportunities.
The discussions between the two parties revealed that there are no issues impeding the smooth execution of the project. It is important to note that the Ministry of Industry and the Wilaya of Oran have actively contributed to the realization of the Fiat project, ensuring it stays on schedule and progresses optimally.
During the meeting, the Minister of Industry reaffirmed the ministry’s support for this strategic and transformative project. He urged the representatives of the Stellantis group to honor all their commitments and accelerate the commissioning of the Fiat production unit in Oran. This will not only facilitate the economic and industrial development of the country but also meet the demands of the citizens, the press release stated.
Cooperation in the Manufacture of Components for the Automotive Industry with Tunisia
On the same day, the Minister of Industry and Pharmaceutical Production also met with Ramadan Al Fayez, the Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to Algeria. The meeting focused on enhancing partnership and cooperation between the two countries in the industrial and economic sectors.
The discussions explored opportunities for collaboration in the production of components for the automotive industry, taking into account the provisions of the new investment law that guarantees investment freedom, whether through foreign direct investment or mixed investment.
The Minister highlighted the ongoing reforms aimed at encouraging foreign investments and establishing partnerships. These reforms seek to strengthen and develop the sector of subcontracting in the manufacture of automotive components and spare parts, within the framework of regional and continental economic integration.
It is worth noting that Tunisia has made significant progress in the manufacture of automotive components and spare parts, with exports in this area surpassing $5 billion before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Additionally, the meeting explored ways to encourage partnership between the two countries in the field of pharmaceutical production. A bilateral meeting is scheduled to take place in the Wilaya of Constantine, where pharmaceutical stakeholders from both countries will gather. The meeting aims to explore investment opportunities offered by the regional market for medicines and develop a strategy for joint ventures. The strategy will focus on production, research and development, as well as the distribution and export of pharmaceutical products.
The discussions between Ali Aoun, the Stellantis group, and the Tunisian Ambassador reflect the commitment of Algeria and Tunisia to fostering collaboration in key sectors, driving economic growth, and capitalizing on regional integration.
As the Fiat factory project progresses smoothly and cooperation with Tunisia expands, these initiatives promise a positive impact on the automotive industry and pharmaceutical sector, ultimately contributing to the economic development of both nations.
