Ambassador's Remarks at USA Day Reception
Hilton Hotel 3 June 2006

Good evening.  It is my pleasure to welcome you all to USA day at this 39th annual Algiers International Trade Fair.  My thanks to Gerry Peereboom, Vahid Fotuhi and everyone at BP for sponsoring this event.  I'd like to extend a special welcome to Dan Harris, our Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce from the Office of International Operations, who has come from Washington to show support for the Fair and for U.S. businesses in Algeria.

I'm particularly pleased to see representatives from 44 American companies participating in this year's Fair.  As Algeria's largest commercial partner for the second year in a row, and by an even larger margin, it is fitting that the 2006 US Pavilion has the largest number of exhibitors yet.  The diversity of the companies reflects some of the finest American products, trademarks, and services our country offers.  The number and variety of U.S. companies underscores our growing trade relationship.

It's interesting to note that while we have some very fine representatives from the hydrocarbon industry, ninety percent of our pavilion is represented by companies and industries outside the hydrocarbon sector.  We have IT and audiovisual firms, food and beverage suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, express carriers, automobile, watercraft and aircraft representatives; construction companies, and energy generation firms, and the list goes on.  This demonstrates the level of interest of American companies in the diversification of Algeria's economy.

It's also important to point out that almost 40% of this year's participants are new to the Algerian market.  This tells us that companies participating in the U.S. Pavilion are using the trade fair as a way to enter the Algerian market, get their foot in the door, make those invaluable connections, and put down roots.  We're very proud to be a part of your success through the U.S. Pavilion.

Overall, U.S.-Algerian relations have never been better and we have a broad and continuing convergence of interests in many areas.  The United States supports Algeria's strategic choice to move toward democracy, open markets, and a fuller integration into the global economy.

We support the Government of Algeria's efforts to combat corruption, improve transparency, and create an investment climate that encourages foreign participation.  In this regard, we are also convinced that American products and companies are about more than just trade.  They also bring to Algeria's economic modernization efforts the values of excellence, modern business practices, the highest ethical standards, and the transfer of technology.

We work closely with our Algerian colleagues in the legal, banking, financial, and commercial sectors to help identify ways to make the Algerian commercial environment the most attractive possible for American investors.  All our efforts are born from the singular purpose of offering the benefit of American experience where we can, in order to help Algeria and its people meet the challenges of the next century.

Thank you very much for your support of the Fair and your participation in the U.S. Pavilion.  Welcome back to those of you who have joined us before; we value our partnerships with you.  To those of you new to the market -- and that's almost half this year! -- Welcome to Algeria.  The Embassy and especially the Foreign Commercial Service are ready to work with you and increase your opportunities for success.