WUSME at the “Algeria National Day Reception 2017”

BUDAPEST – November 6th, 2017 – On occasion of the Algeria National Day Reception of the Embassy in Budapest on 6th November 2017, WUSME General Secretary Norbert Knoll von Dornhoff met H.E. Ambassador Abdelkader Dehendi and his wife for a conversation about the situation of SMEs and Crafts in Algeria.
Although Algeria has managed to diversify its economy, this diversification is still under development with the productive fabric remaining largely concentrated in the hydrocarbon sector. Moreover the labor-intensive SME sector remains underdeveloped. The good news are that the density of SMEs has increased since the year 2000 from eight SMEs per 1000 population to nineteen SMEs per 1000, now contributing 40% to Algeria’s GDP.

New emerging markets

Tourism sector: Algeria has significant potential in the tourism sector on the seaside and in the Sahara. Thus, the establishment of extensive, well-organized hotels and restaurants is crucial for the development of this sector.
Manufacturing sector: Algeria also has significant potential in the manufacturing sector because the country enjoys low-cost energy constituents (gas, fuel, and electricity); industrial gas is 22 times cheaper than the European average, electricity is six times cheaper than in the EU, and the labor force is abundant and cheap.
Agriculture sector: Algeria has significant opportunities in the agriculture sector because the country enjoys an ideal geographic location and good climate. The call for the establishment of extensive, well-organized SMEs is crucial for arboriculture, growing olives, animal breeding, and cereal production. In addition, the fishing sector offers genuine potential.

“The Algerian government makes further efforts to create a meaningful and comprehensive policy to improve the country’s business environment, which is still not enough conducive to the private sector. Cooperative SME development programs need the assistance of International SME supporting Organizations lie WUSME, and our Government sincerely welcomes any support and advice”, said the Ambassador.
He invited WUSME to continue the conversation with him in the nearer future.