The Danish Ambassador to Algeria, Katrine From Høyer, described the relations between Copenhagen and Algiers as “excellent,” praising the level of cooperation between the two countries. She committed to developing and expanding this cooperation, particularly in the fields of energy transition, trade, and cultural exchange.
The Danish diplomat discussed the partnership in the pharmaceutical industry, noting that approximately 75% of her country’s exports to Algeria consist of pharmaceutical products, life sciences, and health. She pointed out that Copenhagen possesses significant expertise in modern pharmaceutical industries that can be shared with Algeria.
Regarding the assessment of Algerian-Danish relations, the ambassador noted that while the embassy reopened in 2017 after being closed since 2010 for specific reasons, diplomatic relations date back decades. She stated that the two countries are currently in an excellent position regarding political communication, trade, and culture. Her goal as ambassador is to deepen and strengthen these ties, focusing on future-oriented sectors such as energy transition and trade.
As a global leader in renewable energy, Denmark has engaged in a bilateral cooperation project over the past two years called the “Danish Energy Transition Initiative.” This collaboration involved the Algerian Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Danish Energy Agency. It included exchange visits for Algerian delegations to Denmark to learn about wind energy, as well as visits by the Danish Energy Agency and the Technical University of Denmark to Algeria to work on a “Wind Atlas” to map the best locations for wind turbines.
In light of the new Algerian investment law, the ambassador highlighted that the pharmaceutical and health sectors remain very attractive, as Denmark offers innovative medicines. Additionally, she emphasized that energy is a vital sector, noting Algeria’s importance due to its vast gas and oil resources and its potential for green energy development. She suggested that Europe will have a significant need for green energy that Algeria could export, and Denmark’s experience in the green transition could be highly beneficial for the Algerian side. Other sectors with potential include agriculture, livestock, and dairy products.
Regarding investment expansion, the ambassador cited the Danish company Novo Nordisk, which operates two factories in Tizi Ouzou and Blida, as a successful example of foreign investment in Algeria. A recent partnership agreement with the Algerian company Saidal for insulin production at the Boufarik site further demonstrates this potential. She noted that such partnerships position Algeria as a leading country in pharmaceutical production on the African continent.
The ambassador also welcomed the double taxation avoidance agreement, stating it is crucial for investors to avoid paying taxes twice on the same income, which will further facilitate Danish investments in Algeria.
On cultural and academic initiatives, she mentioned a new Danish program called “Knowledge and Innovation,” launched as part of Denmark’s strategy for Africa. This includes cooperation between the University of Southern Denmark and Algerian institutions such as the National Polytechnic School and the National Higher School of Artificial Intelligence. This one-year pilot program aims to establish partnerships and facilitate student exchanges.
Regarding her personal experience in Algeria, the ambassador expressed her fondness for Algerian cuisine, specifically mentioning Algerian Chorba, Couscous, and Rechta. She noted the regional variations in flavors and expressed a particular liking for the spicy dishes of the Bou Saâda region.
Finally, she spoke about Algeria’s diverse tourism potential. Having traveled extensively for both work and leisure, she noted that the Sahara—including Djanet, Taghit, Timimoun, and Ghardaïa—left the strongest impression on her, offering a stark contrast to Denmark’s geography. She also expressed her appreciation for Tlemcen, Constantine, Oran, Algiers, and the Kabylie mountains.
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