More than 80 representatives from Spanish and Catalan companies took part today in the first Spanish Algerian Business Forum, held in Barcelona and jointly organised by ASCAME, the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, and the Forum d’Affaires Algéro Espagnol (F2AE). The event offered participants practical insights into how to approach one of North Africa’s most promising markets, as well as a dedicated B2B networking space to explore partnerships and new business opportunities. The forum was supported by leading partners: Aresbank, Naturgy, Asicomex Global Partners S.L., Air Algérie and Equipceramic.
The forum opened with a keynote address by Dr. Josep Santacreu, President of ASCAME, who underlined Algeria’s growing strategic relevance for Spain, the Mediterranean region and the African continent. He highlighted that “Algeria is among the North African economies with the strongest growth potential, and that its significant energy resources position it as a key partner for the development of gas and oil in many Mediterranean countries, particularly Spain”. Dr. Santacreu also stressed that “the country is advancing major plans for modernisation, industrialisation and openness to foreign and Spanish investment”, adding that “our companies have the experience, knowledge and adaptability to contribute decisively to this process and to build solid, lasting and mutually beneficial economic relations”.
In this context, the President of ASCAME expressed his gratitude for the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s participation in the last Executive Committee held in Marseille on 21 April, as well as for confirming its membership in the ASCAME Bureau, the organisation’s highest executive body, which brings together ten countries from both shores of the Mediterranean.
Panel discussions
The first panel explored business opportunities in Algeria. Ms. Cristina Olazábal, Spain’s Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy in Algiers, described “a shift in the country’s growth model, from an economy centred on hydrocarbons to a more industrialised one, which will attract greater foreign investment in the coming years”.
Mr. Djamel Habtiche, Economic Counsellor at the Algerian Embassy in Spain, emphasised “the strong bilateral economic relations between the two countries across sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, agri industry, renewable energy, tourism and energy”. He noted that Algeria’s priority is “to generate domestic wealth by promoting local industry and foreign direct investment”.
Mr. Ismael Martín, F2AE’s Representative in Spain, agreed that Algeria’s current legislation favours industrial investment and domestic manufacturing. However, he stressed that successfully entering the Algerian market requires local partners who can provide cultural, regulatory and financial guidance, along with a long term strategic vision.
The second panel brought together representatives from the forum’s partner organisations. Mr. Eduardo Piedrafita, Director of Aresbank’s Barcelona branch and Head of the Algerian market, noted that “Algeria is attractive not only for its diverse business opportunities but also as a gateway to the Maghreb and North Africa“.
Ms. Sabrina Chabour, Country Manager at Asicomex Global Partners SL, highlighted that “Algeria is a market that requires strategy, local support and on-the-ground knowledge”, adding that “success depends not only on the product or service offered but also on understanding how the local economic ecosystem operates“.
Closing Roundtable
The forum concluded with a roundtable on the experiences and opportunities for Spanish companies in Algeria, featuring contributions from Mr. Eduard Mesegué, Co-Chairman at GB Foods, Mr. David Gallardo, Director of Legal and Institutional Affairs, International Relations and Development at Naturgy, and Mr. Pedro Alonso, Director for Africa at Equipceramic.
Drawing from their respective sectors, all three speakers underscored a shared message: Algeria offers significant long-term potential for Spanish companies willing to invest in understanding the local context, building trust-based partnerships, and adapting their strategies to the country’s evolving economic landscape. They agreed that success in Algeria requires a combination of commitment, cultural awareness and sustained presence, but that the rewards -both in terms of market growth and regional positioning – are substantial for companies prepared to engage with a forward looking vision.