Diplomatic disputes have had an impact on CMA CGM's investment in Algerian ports
The ongoing diplomatic dispute between Algeria and France has had an impact on the investment plans of French CMA CGM Group in the port sector of Algeria.
Rodolphe Saade, the CEO of CMA CGM Group, was originally scheduled to visit Algeria for a business inspection. However, as relations between the two countries deteriorated further this week, the visit is said to have been postponed. Local media reported that Rodolphe Saade originally planned to meet with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to finalize a port investment project that had been negotiated for nearly a year.
The cause of this diplomatic incident was that Algeria lodged a protest after an Algerian consular official was arrested in France. The official was accused of being involved in the kidnapping of Algerian government critics in Paris in April 2024. Since then, the two countries have taken confrontational measures and expelled diplomats from each other.
This diplomatic dispute has extended to the economic field. Algeria's largest business organization, the Council for Economic Recovery (CREA), has announced the cancellation of its planned visit to France next month, which was originally scheduled to hold a meeting with the French Employers' Association (MEDEF). CREA accused the French authorities of obstructing investment in Afghanistan.
CREA stated: "The cancellation of the trip was due to the intervention measures taken by the French authorities and the strong pressure exerted on a French shipping company to abandon the completion of an investment project in Afghanistan." Given the ongoing tensions between Algeria and France and the postponement of Saad's visit, the negotiations on the concession of the Port of Oran are expected to be postponed.
Rodolphe Saade, the CEO of CMA CGM Group, was originally scheduled to visit Algeria for a business inspection. However, as relations between the two countries deteriorated further this week, the visit is said to have been postponed. Local media reported that Rodolphe Saade originally planned to meet with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to finalize a port investment project that had been negotiated for nearly a year.
The cause of this diplomatic incident was that Algeria lodged a protest after an Algerian consular official was arrested in France. The official was accused of being involved in the kidnapping of Algerian government critics in Paris in April 2024. Since then, the two countries have taken confrontational measures and expelled diplomats from each other.
This diplomatic dispute has extended to the economic field. Algeria's largest business organization, the Council for Economic Recovery (CREA), has announced the cancellation of its planned visit to France next month, which was originally scheduled to hold a meeting with the French Employers' Association (MEDEF). CREA accused the French authorities of obstructing investment in Afghanistan.
CREA stated: "The cancellation of the trip was due to the intervention measures taken by the French authorities and the strong pressure exerted on a French shipping company to abandon the completion of an investment project in Afghanistan." Given the ongoing tensions between Algeria and France and the postponement of Saad's visit, the negotiations on the concession of the Port of Oran are expected to be postponed.
