§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government are taking to stimulate trade with Algeria; and how British exports to that market compare with those to Saudi Arabia, the Trucial States, Qatar and Iran.
§ Sir G. HoweThe full range of official export services offered by the British Overseas Trade Board is available to British firms exporting to Algeria. My Department built a pavilion for use at the Algiers International Trade Fair in 1971 which we are still using. My Department is arranging visits to the United Kingdom this year for the heads of three major Algerian State trading corporations. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State is to address a seminar on Algeria on 13th March organised by the London Chamber of Commerce. These and other measures are being taken 399W in co-operation with the Committee for Middle East Trade and other organisations.
The Algerian Minister for Commerce has accepted my invitation to visit the United Kingdom later this year. British exports to Algeria in 1972 amounted to £34 million compared with £45 million to Saudi Arbia, £13 million to Qatar, £117 million to Iran, and £31 million to the United Arab Emirates.