Algeria and Poland want to develop a partnership in energy

ALGIERS - Algeria and Poland Saturday discussed the possibilities of developing a partnership in the energy sector, during the visit to Algiers by the Deputy Prime Minister and Polish Minister of Economy Waldemar Pawlak, reported the Algerian APS agency.

•    "We discussed several areas of cooperation including the purchase and sale of gas and oil, renewable energy use, and the possibility of developing a partnership between Polish and Algerian companies, public or private," said Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines Chakib Khelil after a meeting with Mr. Pawlak. 
  
     The Polish Minister, whose visit will last two days, is accompanied by a delegation of entrepreneurs and businessmen. 
  
     Mr. Pawlak said that discussions with the Algerian side will be extended to sectors of industry, agriculture and defense, added the same source. 
  
     Several Polish companies have expressed interest in investing in Algeria including the company Polish Oil and Gas (PGNiG), which has opened a permanent representation in Algeria, APS said. A meeting is scheduled on Sunday between representatives of the public group Sonatrach, the Algerian oil and PGNiG. 
  
•    Trade between the two countries reached 378 million dollars in 2009, according to the ambassador of Poland in Algeria, Lidia Milka Wieczorkiewicz. 
  
•    Until 2008, the trade balance tilted in favor of Poland but Algeria has managed to balance in 2009 by raising its exports to 165 million. 
  
•    Poland sells to Algeria mainly powdered milk, but also industrial equipment, cosmetics and chemicals, while Algeria exports to that country oil and fuel.
  
• Ennaharonline/ M. O.