The Algerian Investment Promotion Agency (AAPI) plans to bring fresh momentum to cooperation among investment promotion agencies across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region by establishing coordination mechanisms, sharing expertise, and launching joint initiatives. This strategy was highlighted by its Director General, Omar Rekkache, during his participation in Geneva at the sixth session of the Sub-Committee on Regional Investment Promotion Agency Networks (SCRIPA).
Held on Thursday on the sidelines of the World Investment Conference organized by the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), this participation aligns with AAPI’s membership in the body, where it also holds the regional directorship for the MENA zone. On this occasion, Rekkache urged injecting renewed vitality into regional collaboration and transforming the agency network into a more active, structured, and effective platform capable of spearheading joint ventures and delivering tangible results.
With this goal in mind, he outlined three core priorities to bolster the network’s operations and impact. The first centers on advancing cooperation and experience-sharing among regional agencies by creating a network of focal points within these institutions. This framework is designed to facilitate regular dialogue, exchange best practices, and address shared hurdles, particularly regarding attracting capital, streamlining procedures, and supporting investors. It will also help monitor industry trends in investment promotion and uncover new avenues for partnership.
The second priority involves deeper engagement from regional agencies in shaping and guiding WAIPA activities, ensuring MENA priorities and regional specifics are better reflected in its annual agenda. Accordingly, the AAPI chief invited member agencies to submit concrete proposals to the regional director. These could cover organizing joint investment promotion events, economic forums, business matchmaking, and investment missions, alongside training programs, capacity building, and knowledge transfers, enabling agencies to actively shape, prepare, and execute these programs.
The third priority aims to revitalize the regional network and strengthen member commitment through sustained involvement in association-led initiatives and broader mobilization across agencies to improve regional coordination and teamwork.
Serving as MENA regional director, Rekkache reaffirmed his pledge to work closely with the WAIPA secretariat and member bodies to support this drive and turn established priorities into actionable projects. He also underscored the vast economic potential of the Middle East and North Africa, its complementary strengths, and the investment prospects it presents. He stressed the need to capitalize on these assets by building a genuine regional hub for cooperation, partnership, and unified action capable of fostering collective projects and yielding concrete outcomes. Furthermore, he called on regional agencies to commit fully to this effort and move beyond merely trading experiences toward executing shared initiatives, aiming to forge a stronger, more influential, and effective regional bloc within WAIPA.
Extending its efforts to market Algeria as an investment destination, AAPI also hosted a gathering aimed at mobilizing the national diaspora abroad and unlocking its investment capacity. Held in Geneva under the banner Investing in Algeria: Opportunities and Prospects, the event was organized by the Algerian Consulate General, represented by Consul General Reda Boulacel, in partnership with AAPI. The Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of the National Community Abroad, Sofiane Chaib, joined the session via videoconference.
The meeting brought together 273 members of the Algerian diaspora residing in Switzerland, including investors, project developers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders, alongside individuals expressing interest in Algerian investment prospects. The initiative forms part of broader outreach to showcase opportunities within the domestic economy and explore pathways for economic partnerships and joint ventures between Algeria and Switzerland.