Algeria -

“The misfortunes of a people for a people benefits” an Arab proverb that applies recently to the reality of the deteriorating French-Algerian economic relations on the one hand, and their escalating Algerian-Turkish counterpart on the other hand, apparently a historic opportunity for Algeria and Ankara to get rid of the influence of Paris, according to observers.

The National Hydrocarbon Corporation of Algeria (Sonatrach) signed 3 contracts with the Turkish company "Renaissance" to develop the petrochemical project for the production of polypropylene in the Turkish city of Ceyhan, at a cost of $1.4 billion.

It was politically remarkable that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by his government ministers, attended the signing ceremony earlier this week.

The economic event coincided with a renewed chill in Algerian-French relations due to the memory file, and Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra affirmed that his country and Turkey "have deep historical relations", noting that Ankara has contributed to Algeria's development, and is looking forward to more Turkish investments in the coming days.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune stressed - in an interview with the French magazine "Le Point" - in late May that "Algeria enjoys excellent relations with the Turks, who have invested about $ 5 billion without any political demands. Those who were bothered by this relationship. They just have to come and invest with us," he said, referring to the French.

Algeria proposed to Turkey at the end of last year to establish a multinational company conglomerate to enter international markets, and that was during the meeting of Trade Minister Kamal Rezik with Ankara's ambassador to Algeria Mahinur Ozdemir Goktash.

These positive developments came at a time when Algeria's relations with Paris are witnessing severe tension, against the backdrop of recent statements by French President Emmanuel Macron, which provoked strong official and popular reactions.

It is expected - according to observers - that these tensions will be reflected more on the gradually declining economic presence of France in Algeria, and it was deepened by the announcement by Algerian traders this week of freezing partnership deals worth one billion euros.

Raising the trade exchange between Algeria and Turkey to 10 billion dollars by the end of 2030 (Al-Jazeera)

dramatic decline

In evaluating the cooperative index between Algeria and Paris since the advent of President Tebboune, the economist Abdel Rahman Toumi considers that cooperation is characterized by a dramatic decline of several factors, the most important of which is the colonial past, and the desire to keep Algeria as a market, through influence in decision-making.

He indicated - in a statement to Al Jazeera Net - to stop working with foreign studies offices in major projects, most of which are French, as they were draining 10 billion dollars annually.

He mentioned a 50% decline in wheat imports for the year 2020, the first of its kind in 58 years, estimating France's loss of about $2.5 billion.

Tomy pointed out that the water management contract for the French company (Suez) was not renewed, which led to a loss of $277 million, as well as the failure to renew the Algiers metro contract, with a loss of $130 million.

It also recorded the Algerian authorities' rejection of Total's acquisition of the American "Anadarko Petroleum" stake at $5.5 billion, as well as the failure of French companies previously to deal with the Great Mosque's deals by about $2 billion.

He considered these indicators as prominent evidence of a sincere intention by the Algerian authorities to move towards other, more trusted, profitable and safe destinations to achieve economic independence.

For his part, the head of the Algerian Business Forum, Mourad Arouj, said that the Algerian market in its various sectors was the preserve of French companies until 2006, while 70% of European goods entered it through French institutions.

Arouj - in a statement to Al Jazeera Net - criticized the French party's focus on the services sector, such as running public companies and the activity of banks, insurance and consultancy "without investing money, but (investment) with the resources of the Algerian treasury and the savings of citizens, in exchange for unparalleled preferential privileges."

Abdel Rahman Toumi: Turkey will represent Algeria as an alternative to France within 5 years (Al Jazeera)

Notable development with Ankara

On the other hand, Toumi believes that the Algerian-Turkish relations have witnessed a remarkable development since the 2006 cooperation agreement, based on statistical data from the official references of the two countries.

In this regard, he stressed that the volume of trade exchange reached about $4 billion at the end of 2020, as part of a plan targeting $10 billion by the end of 2030, paving the way for a strategic partnership that culminates in the signing of a free trade zone agreement.

At the end of 2020, Turkey recorded investments of more than $5 billion in Algeria, outperforming France, the traditional dealer with twice the financial envelope, through 1,300 companies active in various sectors, the most important of which is "Tosyali Iron and Steel" with $2.5 billion, and the textile industry with a value of 200 million. dollars, with the creation of more than 30,000 jobs, in addition to real estate real estate companies, which had the second share after China.

Tomi pointed to a noticeable increase in the Turkish community, which exceeded 25,000 Turks and more than 35 weekly flights of Turkish Airlines.

A fairer alternative

On the other hand, Arrouj, who is Algeria's representative to the International Business Forum in Turkey, confirms that Turkish companies faced great obstacles in Algeria and impediments from officials in the ministries, which amounted to canceling deals they won in the facilities, roads, bridges, railways and medicines sector, through the rooted French lobby. In the centers of governance, as he put it.

Today, however, Turkey has many strong opportunities to upgrade its economic relations with Algeria due to very important privileges, which emerged with Algeria's iron exports and cooperation in energy, especially petrochemicals.

Arouj focused on the prospects of Turkish partnership in the field of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, manufacturing, textile, works contracting and mechanics.

Turkish investments have also entered the sectors of medicine, digitization, tourism, education, health, water, agriculture and roads, and they are looking forward to benefiting from the achievement of the large Hamdania port, within the Chinese Silk Road project.

The expert revealed that preparations are currently underway to hold a summit before the end of 2021 in Algeria, after Erdogan visited it 3 times, explaining that the development of cooperation comes without political restrictions or conditions, which imparts the character of trust and rapprochement more in other areas of a higher level.

He concluded that the Turkish partner will be an economic alternative to French influence and a more equitable and humane relationship with the Algerians within the next 5 years.