Algeria intends to expand its production of medicines to cover people's basic needs hand-in-hand with Russian pharmaceutical groups, Ali Aoun, Algeria's minister of industry and pharmaceutical production, told Sputnik Africa.
The Algerian-Russian agreement on the implementation of bilateral pharmaceutical projects is "one of the most important decisions for both Russia and Algeria," the minister stated.
The two countries will cooperate in the field of anti-cancer drugs, treatments for blood diseases and diabetes, said Aoun on the sidelines of the SPIEF economic forum in St. Petersburg.
"We have created a kind of roadmap for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. Thanks to this strategy, we can expand industrial production in Algeria to cover the basic needs of the population," he said.
These projects include the participation of Russian companies, "particularly in view of the existing opportunities for pharmaceutical production in Algeria."
In addition to the talks held in Algiers, the Algerian delegation came to SPIEF to "confirm [their] wish to develop the drug industry as quickly as possible with [Russian pharmaceutical groups] Geropharm, Biocad," according to Aoun.
Overall, the African nation is recording a significant boost in cooperation in the medication industry between Algiers and Moscow, noted the minister.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune made a state visit to Russia from June 14 to 16. During the visit, a declaration of deep strategic partnership between the two countries was signed.
A number of memorandums and declarations in various fields between the relevant Algerian and Russian ministries were also adopted. Tebboune's visit also coincided with the SPIEF economic forum, which was attended by the president.