Indeed, China in 2012 accounts for 12,5% of Algeria’s global imports with $5,8 billion (just behind France with $6 billion), a 25% rise compared to 2011 (Algerian customs). China even overtook the historical colonial power in the first five months of 2012, only to be caught up by French wheat imports. On the other hand China remains far in only tenth position of Algerian exports with a 3,6% share ($2,7 billion and an increase of 20%).

This can be explained by China’s poor share of Algeria’s oil and gas resources, which accounts for 97% of Algerian exports. Although open to foreign investment since the late 90s, the industry is dominated by US (mainly Anadarko) and European companies. China, which has been a net oil importer since 1993, has been trying to increase its presence through its two main state-controlled companies: Sinopec and CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation also known as Petrochina). Algeria has the 3^rd largest oil reserves in Africa after Libya and Nigeria and has an average capacity of 1,2 million barrel/day which makes it an envied partner. Both companies have invested in different oil fields in cooperation with Sonatrach the Algerian state-owned oil company. For example, Sinopec has a 75% stake in the Zarzaitine oil field since 2002 and CNPC has a 70% joint venture for the Adrar refinery (one of six Algerian refineries). However investment remains meager compared to western counterparts.

China’s main strength in Algeria is through its imports, mainly building material and textile. Since Mr Bouteflika launched a 500 billion petrodollar construction plan from 1999 to 2014, China has hunted down and been awarded many contracts, ranging from social housing, to the Foreign Office, the Constitutional Council, prisons, dams and luxury hotels (Sheraton Hotel in Algiers amongst others). China even imported and organized the 50^th Algerian Independence anniversary fireworks display! Chinese companies have been collecting a vast number of  building contracts, to the demise of western competitors for a number of reasons. Mainly, they usually offer low cost and short deadlines, very important post- Arab spring where visible results are expected swiftly. Also, China does not make human rights and corruption-free procedures a condition for investment. Everything is imported from China, from the material to the workers: companies frequently prefer Chinese workers to Algerians so that three teams interchange every 8h to work 24/7.

The greatest Chinese projects range from the Great airport of Algiers (Houari Boumedienne) completed in 2006 for $2,6 billion, to two-thirds of the East-West 1216km long motorway for over $11 billion and the new Algiers Great Mosque for over $1 billion. When completed, the mosque will be the 3^rd largest in the world (after Mecca and Medina) with a library, a museum and a 270m high minaret.  The Mosque project is expected to create 17000 jobs, namely for Algerians. The contract has been awarded to CSCEC (China State Construction Engineering Corporation) in 2011, which is otherwise known for having built the Beijing National Aquatic Centre for the 2008 Olympics, and has also built the five largest hotels in Algeria. This Chinese construction company is ranked 3^rd largest in the world, but suffers from negative publicity since the World Bank has disbarred it from bidding after corruption allegations in 2009. In an effort to complete the Mosque under Bouteflika’s reign, CSCEC has agreed to work quickly and cheaply, but on its own terms. In 2012, Air Algérie announced it had passed an agreement with CSCEC to transport at least 10000 Chinese workers on site. The employers argue that the Chinese workforce is  more qualified, punctual and hard working than Algerians.

As a consequence, the building activity has attracted many Chinese workers throughout the decade, and the Chinese population in Algeria is now the largest in Africa, and Algiers has the only Chinatown in the Arab world (Boushaki in the Bab Ezzouar area east of Algiers). Official figures show that at least 40000 Chinese live in Algeria, making it the largest foreign community (local media suggest the number is closer to 100000). This massive immigration with entire Chinese families include construction workers but also many shopkeepers from southern China selling low-cost products, especially textile and electronics. Also, in the past 10 years, the Algerian customs have confiscated a soaring number of counterfeit goods, and in 2011, 95% were “made in China”. The counterfeit goods are primarily cosmetics, followed by clothes and textile. All these cheap products find their way to the very busy Chinese stores where the shopkeepers haggle in a mix of Mandarin, Arabic and French: shirts in Chinatown can be 5 times cheaper than in Algiers’ souk. The Chinese are generally accepted by the local population with variable feelings  from admiration for their hard-working qualities to xenophobia especially from the unemployed (11% of the population in 2012, and up to 25% of youth). Tensions sometimes arise with disputes about religion and work, for example riots in 2010 against the Chinese population required police intervention. However the shopkeepers shake off this problem and rather stay because Algeria is as they say a “business haven”.

The upcoming 2013 partnership between both countries will be in the health field. Chinese medical aid also dates back to newly independent Algeria in 1963 when Chinese medical teams were sent to assist the country. After 50 years of growing medical cooperation, China is going to help Algeria become the new African pharmaceutical hub. China, the world’s first manufacturer of pharmaceutical raw material (drug ingredients and excipients, mostly made synthetically) is going to invest heavily in the sector and share its know-how. In exchange, the Algerian health minister Mr Ould Abbès has already promised important tax breaks for Chinese industries. Algeria, which today imports 75% of its medication, wishes to produce 70% of its drug consumption by 2020.

Although China’s boom in Algeria started a decade ago, its foundation were laid down 50 years ago when China was the first non-arab country to recognize Algerian independence and to send aid. Diplomatic and economic ties have since then been strong. This friendship is coined by the Chinese gift, to fund and build the $30 million Algiers Opera House (started in 2012). The trade boom, which will surely soon place Chinese imports in first place in front of France, is an unequal one. Chinese companies seldom employ Algerian workers and share their knowledge. The technological transfer and employment Algerians long for seems to come second to Chinese business objectives and the Algerian government’s haste for growth. The new grand pharmaceutical project might bring back balance.

Faisal Chettah, inventor of property stolen vehicles remote seeks partner. Tray but without much motivation, Faisal Chettah is a regular at the Salon de l’Innovation. (Ph. Y. Ferhat)
Met in its booth at the close of the Exhibition of Invention and Innovation, held this week in Algiers Chettah Faisal, an Algerian inventor of a system of remote control of vehicle, a simple phone call, especially useful to immobilize the vehicle and track stolen, tells us about his adventure inventor. Chettah Faisal is a young Sidi Moussa south of Algiers. Distinctive sign? No. Unless he is an inventor. And it has been since the age of 23. Today it has 38 years under his belt and two major inventions and several honorary degrees. He is a man inhabited by the modesty that we met at the Salon of inventions and innovation that was held this week at the Palais des Expositions d’Alger Pins shipping.”For this kind of room, I’m used to,” he said. In this latest edition is still among veterans: the invention has been presented during the three days of the show was patented in 2008 INAPI. He is still calling, “because we judge that my invention deserves it developed,” he quips. Faisal Chettah, presents itself as an inventor of the remote control system. Modestly. “This is the result of dedication,” he says. School? he has made ​​in the area of Bougara, in the wilaya of Blida (south of Algiers), not to exceed the level of the terminal. Its branch of study is electronics which is also his passion. “I stopped my studies in 1993, after missing my technical baccalaureate, specialty electronics. I have not had the chance to continue my education and go to university. But it was basically a motivation for me to achieve my goals, “he says.

The obsession with remote control

Chettah Faisal says: “This year, I passed an examination in the field of electronics where the issue was to design a system that looks like I’ve managed to develop now. This is the system on and off lights by clapping. The distance of the system was 150 meters. During this review, I tried to solve it and I succeeded. Since I conducted my research and work in similar projects until 1997 when I came up with the idea of ​​creating a system of remote control via the landline from home. Something that has been made during the same year, where I managed through my device to stop a moving vehicle in Algiers since Bechar. “Since then, he has developed an obsession for everything remote control. Himself admits: “I love the remote control. It is for me, the pinnacle of technology. ” From this review it was successful, Faisal has researched and developed projects on his own, at his family home. After the arrival of mobile telephony in Algeria in 2001, the young inventor is redoubling its efforts to develop the system to be operational using the mobile phone. He succeeded. This invention is simple, says he, placidly. “My system remote control consists of two enclosures, each equipped with smart mobile phone, vehicle mounted, one for receiving the signal transmitted by a telephone call. The other, returns another signal when the vehicle stops. That’s it! “. “For a vehicle equipped with this system I can stop where it is located on the country and even outside. I wait 3 seconds, a signal is sent to me informing me that the vehicle is stopped, “he says again.

Invention seeks serious partner

Spent time challenges and the gratification of passion, come after the stage of ‘recovery’.The device is not expensive. Depending on the value of its component parts, “it will cost between 5000 AD and 6000 AD,” he said, “far from the Chinese-built, recently entered the Algerian market at a cost of about 45,000 Da.” In addition, it serves as a “tracker” of stolen vehicle with embedded chips. But so far, Faisal failed to industrialize its “prototype”. It is still repairing the corner. Today, he works “again and again” in the field of electronics, repair demodulators and other gadgets, following an internship car alarms installer, who invented an alarm system not only but also for remote control of vehicle. “I had offers individuals and small companies. Their tenders have not been satisfactory. It was for most people whose main concern is saving money without consideration particularly with regard to the development and optimization of the system. My hope is to optimize the device, the miniaturization before entering a phase of large-scale manufacturing. And for that, I’m looking for serious partners, “he wishes. A word to the wise.