Algeria-Qatari project to construct a fertilizer complex in Souk Ahras

The project for this complex under consideration by the Ministries of Energy of the two countries should produce phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers  Algerian Minister of Energy Youcef  Yousfi  said to APS after talks with his Qatari counterpart, Mohamed Ben Salah Al Sada, who has just completed a working visit to Algiers.
 
"We have a great complex we want to build in Oued Keberit at Souk Ahras to transform phosphates in phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers," he said.
 
Algeria is a major producer of fertilizers in the Mediterranean, and aims to become a pole for world export  of
fertilizers, following the removal in 2012 of the anti-dumping tax imposed by the European Union on exports byFertial, a joint venture between Algeriancompany Asmidal the Spanish leader in the field Villar Mir.
 
It is also preparing to launch two new complexes of ammonia and urea with the Egyptian companies Orascom Industries and Oman Suhail Bahwan.Mr  Yousfi also indicated that he had considered in Algiers with his Qatari counterpart, a partnership in the upstream exploration sector.
 
Algeria and Qatar are both large gas proucing countries and they also want to establish a partnership in the petrochemical industry. He added that the two sides will discuss several future projects that could be undertaken in this niche in Algeria.
 
"We also discussed partnership opportunities in the maritime transport of oil. We are trying to see if there is an opportunity to work together," said Yousfi.
 
Bellara industrial zone, which will host the next steel complex 5 million tonnes / year will have a power plant that will also be conducted in partnership with the Qataris.
 
In the field of mining, discussions are going well on the mining sector with Qataris looking at gold deposits in Algeria, the Minister said, without disclosing the details of this project.
 
Qatar Mining has been mentioned by some sources in Algiers as a future investor in the Tirek-Amesmessa mine, located in the gold rich region of Hoggar,  in the Wilaya of Tamanrasset.
 
Currently, the mine is idling after the withdrawal of GMA Resources, the Australian partner of Sonatrach in this project.
 
Also in the mining sector, the Qatari businessmen are also interested in lead, zinc, barite and bentonitemining opportunities. These substances are used in the oil industry, says Mr. Yousfi.
 
A  Qatari technical team is expected soon in Algiers to continue discussions on approved projects in agriculture, industry, petrochemicals, fertilizers, and oil and gas exploration, said  Mohamed Ben Salah Al Sada.

Mr. Yousfi awaits the result of these discussions in Doha to refine what has been agreed between the two parties, in anticipation of the visit to Algeria  in the first half of December of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani when signing of seven partnership agreements is likely to take place,Mr Al Sada said.
 
Authorities of the two countries also agreed on the allocation of capital in joint ventures that will be created for this purpose and their areas, he said.Mr Al Sada recalled the working visit to Algiers by the Qatari Minister company of Economy and Finance, Mr. Hussein Kamal Youcef.