ALGIERS — The newly appointed president of the Algerian-British Business Council (ABBC), Martyn Roper, said Thursday in Algiers that the Council aims to play a key role in enhancing bilateral economic cooperation and backing businesspeople from both countries, so as to develop partnership projects across various sectors.

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Speaking at a press conference marking his installation, Roper takes over from Lady Olga Maitland, who led the council since its establishment two decades ago.

Roper, a career diplomat who served as British Ambassador to Algeria from 2010 to 2014, noted that the Council “intends to play a pivotal role in boosting bilateral cooperation” by providing support to both governments and business leaders from the UK and Algeria in their collaborative ventures.

The new ABBC president further highlighted the “great opportunity” currently available to both countries to boost trade and economic exchanges.

Speaking about bilateral cooperation, the ABBC president said that trade volume underwent a “significant increase” in 2023.

He noted that both sides have shown “considerable interest and need” for expanded commercial engagement and partnership projects in many areas of activity, especially in light of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union (Brexit).

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