Uzbekistan appoints its first ambassador to Algeria

Uzbekistan has appointed its first-ever ambassador to Algeria. Mansurbek Kilichev, who has served as the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Egypt since October 2021, has been designated to lead the mission in Algeria while maintaining his headquarters in Cairo.

Photo: Dunyo

According to the Dunyo Information Agency, Ambassador Kilichev officially presented copies of his credentials to Ahmed Attaf, Algeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs. During the ceremony, the parties engaged in high-level discussions aimed at broadening bilateral cooperation and identifying untapped economic opportunities.

Minister Ahmed Attaf noted that current trade volumes between the two nations remain significantly below their actual potential. He stressed specific sectors such as mining, geology, pharmaceuticals, and textiles as areas ripe for immediate collaboration.

With a population of 50 million, Algeria presents a substantial market for Uzbek manufacturers. The Minister specifically suggested that Uzbek textile companies establish production facilities within Algeria, which would grant them duty-free access to the wider African continental market.

To facilitate this growth, the Algerian side proposed several concrete steps, including the creation of a joint business council and the launch of an intergovernmental commission. Furthermore, discussions included the possibility of establishing dedicated trade houses, warehouses, and showrooms within Algeria’s specialized economic zones to better showcase Uzbek products.