“Third Pipeline” by British engineers in Algeria, in the face of strong French opposition, and the ammouncement of Anthony Greenwood’s proposals for the independence of Aden, British credit stands higher than ever before. The Government and co-operative producers’ are determined that 1965 will see a big increase in trade with Britain — at least to the levels of 1959-60. 80% of Algerian agriculture is now under co-operative production (workers’ self-management), and this is working well in spite of the departure of nearly all the French managers and technicians. Processing and packaging are carried out at centralised stations controlled by the producers, and a separate Government organisation, O.F.A.L.A.C., is responsible for control, inspection and the certification of all products for export. Buyers from Holland, Germany, Russia and Yugoslavia say that inspection, particularly of citrus fruits, is now even more rigorous than under the French. It is hoped that substantial shipments of citrus fruits will be made to Britain this year for the first time, and that trade in new potatoes, carrots and other vegetables will be reestablished. Initially, marketing of agricultural produce was carried out by Government departments, but this was not successful. Since 1963, the
by Richard Fletcher
a
establishment of independent co-
operative marketing organisations for
the major products has greatly in-
creased the efficiency of distribution,
and overseas buyers now have few
complaints.
However, the international terms
of trade are still moving against pri-
mary producers — prices of oranges,
for example, are expected to fall
50% over the next few years — and
the Algerians are anxious to estab- |
lish their own integrated organisa-
tions for packaging and marketing of
dates (at present carried out in
Marseilles), canning of fruits and
vegetables and for producing jams
and other conserves. The British co-
operative movement could do much
to help in this field — by supplying
specialists and technicians and, pos-
sibly, by building and operating
canning factories in Algeria.
There is a very large demand for
British industrial
Algeria — agricultural machinery,
steel pipe and equipment for the oil
industry, complete refineries, petro-
chemical complexes, fertiliser plant
and factories for the processing of
plastics and other materials.
Britain and Algeria are ideally
suited as trading partners, their needs
are complementary, and there is no
reason why mutual trade should not
increase 4 or § times its peak of 1960
over the next five years.
Trade figures for the 6 years are as follows (£ million):— 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963
£m. ee ae II I2 2.4. °33
From Algeria From Britain
(10 mths)
9.2 10.7 75 6.3
3.0 1.8 2.7 3:7 Of this trade, fruit and vegetable imports have fallen from £1.7m. to £17,000, and iron ore (whose revenue still goes to France and not Algeria) |
| to the U.N. Charter and the principle
| of non-interference in the
from £9.6m. to £3,8m.