The 13th edition of the Vietnam-Algeria intergovernmental joint commission, which opened this Sunday in Algiers, is set to establish new milestones for economic cooperation between the two countries. This partnership matches the level of friendship that unites them and should especially exploit the great existing potential between the two nations.
“The holding of this session reflects the depth of the historical ties that bind our two countries. It also expresses our shared desire to move forward in strengthening bilateral cooperation and consolidating it, in line with the vast potential available to our two countries,” said Khirreddine Benaissa, Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry, who co-chaired this joint commission with the Vietnamese Vice Minister of Construction.
Highlighting the importance of the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister of Vietnam, affirming that it represents “a pivotal step in the process of strengthening bilateral cooperation,” Mr. Benaissa noted that “it is a strategic visit that will provide an opportunity to sign a set of agreements and memorandums of understanding, which will inject new momentum into bilateral relations and lay the foundations for a phase of growth.” Discussing the depth of relations between the two countries, the Secretary General reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment “to work together to elevate our relations to higher levels.” In his speech, Mr. Benaissa did not fail to mention Algeria’s progress in various fields such as industry, investment, energy, and green energy. He confirmed that this meeting, beyond being a space for exchange, is “the ideal tool to transform visions into initiatives and concrete projects.”
For his part, the Vietnamese Vice Minister of Construction, Nguyen Tuong Van, emphasized the significance of this meeting, calling for “close cooperation” between the two countries as well as the adoption of appropriate solutions to raise collaboration to a higher level.
Highlighting the “particular importance” of this edition, held on the eve of the official visit to Algeria by the Prime Minister of Vietnam, the Vietnamese Vice Minister of Construction underscored the place Algeria occupies for his country.
“Algeria remains an important partner of Vietnam in the African market and is the fourth largest export market for Vietnam in Africa,” he said, noting a “remarkable breakthrough” in trade. “In 2024, bilateral trade reached around 220 million dollars, whereas during the first nine months of 2025 it has already exceeded 450 million dollars, representing an increase of more than 200% compared to the same period of the previous year,” he welcomed, referring to another pillar of cooperation between the two countries, namely investment.
The latter continues “to be a symbol of success in economic cooperation between the two countries,” affirmed Nguyen Tuong Van, pointing to the joint venture project between the Vietnamese oil group PetroVietnam (through PVEP), the Thai company PTTEP, and the Algerian group Sonatrach at the Bir Seba field, which is progressing effectively, with a capacity of 17,000 barrels per day and a plan aimed at increasing total production. He also mentioned visits made during the past year by several Vietnamese business delegations seeking investment opportunities in the sectors of pharmaceutical manufacturing and nutritional supplements as well as construction and labor supply.
Highlighting his country’s “three strategic breakthroughs” related to institutional reform, infrastructure development, and the improvement of human resource quality, as well as Vietnam’s development path, he called for more cooperation between the two countries to advance. According to him, “the encouraging results achieved between Vietnam and Algeria still fall short of the expected level, given the excellent friendship relations and considerable potential of the two countries.”
“That is why Algeria and Vietnam must cooperate closely and adopt suitable solutions to elevate our collaboration to a higher level,” affirmed the Vietnamese Vice Minister of Construction. He suggested, during this session, focusing exchanges in a “frank and substantial manner” and “agreeing on the essential points to promote, as well as on suitable solutions and cooperation methods in potential fields.” These include, he specified, trade (agricultural products, aquatic products, consumer goods), oil and gas investment, agriculture, aquaculture, environment, finance, science and technology, education and training, as well as construction and tourism.