International Agriculture Fair SIPSA 2015 Austria Guest of Honour at the International Agriculture Fair in Algeria

SIPSA is both the most important agricultural event, and the biggest agricultural fair organised in Algeria. It was held for the 15th time this year and, as in previous years, Austria was represented by a delegation comprising both the AußenwirtschaftsCenter Algiers, and the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO).

A high-ranking Austrian delegation headed by the Secretary-General of the former Federal Ministry BMLFUW, Reinhard Mang – who opened the fair on 14 May 2015 together with SIPSA President Bensemmane, and WKO President Hermann Schultes – stayed in Algiers from May 13–15.

In addition to the official opening of the fair in Algiers, a bilateral working dialogue between Secretary-General Mang and the Secretary-General of the Algerian Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Feroukhi was held. The programme was rounded up by a joint tour of the fair, an Austrian food-tasting event at the Austrian stand of the AWC, and bilateral talks with Algerian decision-makers from the agriculture sector.

Dynamic development of cooperation

The cooperation between Austria and Algeria has seen a very dynamic development in recent years. Since 2012, a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Ministries of Agriculture has been in place. It offers a useful administrative basis for increasing cooperation in agriculture and forestry. As early as January 2014, the first agriculture working group was successfully held in Algiers. The second working group meeting is planned for Autumn 2015 in Austria.

In his opening remarks Reinhard Mang acknowledged Algeria as the largest, and one of the most dynamic, markets of the region. He pointed out that Austrian enterprises from the fields of agricultural technology and animal husbandry had been successfully represented at SIPSA for many years and that Austria had established itself as a stable partner for the export of high-quality breeding cattle.

Algeria is presently one of the most important third-country markets for the export of Austrian breeding cattle. In 2014 alone, 5,854 cattle- valued at EUR 11 million – were exported, which constitutes roughly one third of the country’s export of live animals!