Qatar, Algeria sign MoU for iron and steel factory

Qatar and Algeria signed here on Saturday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of an iron and steel factory in the industrial area of Bellara in Jijel state with a production capacity of 5 million tonnes per year. The MoU was signed by HE the Minister of Economy and Finance Youssuf Hussein Kamal and Algerian Minister of Industry, SME and Investment Promotion Mohamed Benmeradi. Following the signing of the MoU, HE Youssef Hussein Kamal said that HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani attaches a special importance to the factory project which will produce and market steel in Algeria, noting that Qatar considers the signing of the memo as new push for the relations between the two countries. His Excellency told reporters "We can say that the countdown for the launch of the factory and the production of its first piece of steel has begun," adding "as of this moment we have 24 months or a maximum of 30 months to see the factory's production offered in the Algerian market." "We have other investment interests in Algeria, including the establishment of private car plant project under the German Volkswagen trademark, and we are working to realize this according to a tripartite partnership between Qatar, Algeria and the German car manufacturer." HE the Minister of Economy and Finance added that Qatar and Algeria have agreed to work together in investment projects outside the two countries, pursuant to a bilateral agreement provides for a joint sovereign fund to invest in opportunities in global markets. "We, in Qatar, have a 20-year-old experience in this field, and our brothers in Algeria want to take advantage of that."