Prime Minister Seifi Gharib called on Monday for facilitating trade exchanges between Algeria and Niger and working toward the creation of an integrated border zone to serve as a space for local development and economic integration. He emphasized that this step constitutes a vital framework for enhancing trade exchange and encouraging joint investments between the two countries.
During his speech at the opening of the Great Algerian-Nigerien Joint Commission in Niamey, the Prime Minister stressed that this direction comes within the context of strengthening economic partnership and strategic integration, with a focus on transforming the shared political will of the two countries’ leaderships into tangible projects on the ground that directly benefit both peoples.
Seifi Merhab highlighted the importance of accelerating the completion of major structural projects, most notably the Trans-Saharan Highway, the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, and fiber optic networks, as they are vital arteries linking North Africa with the heart of the continent and opening broad horizons for development and regional integration.
He also called for expanding cooperation in vital economic sectors, including energy in its various forms, mining, agriculture, health, vocational and university training, digitalization, youth, and culture. He noted that the signing of agreements and memorandums of understanding in these fields during the session would provide a strong impetus for enhancing bilateral cooperation.
The official emphasized that the Algerian-Nigerien Economic Forum serves as an essential platform to encourage businessmen and investors to seize available opportunities and develop sustainable economic partnerships, with a focus on simplifying customs procedures and revitalizing border markets to boost trade movement in border areas and create new job opportunities.
Regarding security, the Prime Minister stressed that the security of Algeria and Niger is interconnected, calling for enhanced bilateral coordination to confront terrorism, organized crime, and irregular migration, while taking into account the combination of security and developmental dimensions to ensure the stability of border regions and raise the level of local development.
Seifi Merhab concluded his speech by affirming that the work of this session represents a new executive phase for Algerian-Nigerien relations, aimed at translating agreements and projects into reality, thereby enhancing economic integration and serving the interests of both peoples in security, development, and shared prosperity.
