Source : RFI
President Mahamat Idriss Déby and Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune oversaw the signing of 34 bilateral agreements on Thursday, on the second day of Déby’s official visit to Algiers, the Chadian presidency said.
The agreements cover a wide range of sectors, including communications, public works, animal health, air transport and higher education. The two countries also signed an interministerial convention to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.
Speaking after the ceremony, Déby said the visit reflected “a clear political will” to move “from a traditional friendship to a new-generation strategic partnership”.
The most significant measures concern hydrocarbons. A memorandum of understanding was signed between Algeria’s state energy firm Sonatrach and Chad’s hydrocarbons company (SHT) to build a refinery capable of producing up to 20,000 barrels of oil per day.
The agreement comes as Chad seeks to diversify its economy and attract new investors to develop its natural resources, oil in particular, says economist Djimadoum Mendekor.
“Behind that lies the potential to create jobs,” he told RFI. “For a country that lacks industry and jobs, it is important to be able to diversify and increase the number of companies coming to operate in the country.”