Scotland strengthens links with Algeria as it welcomes the UK Ambassador

Mr Martyn Roper visited RGU in recognition of its 10 year relationship with Algerian oil and gas giant Sonatrach, which marks a decade of education and training services delivery to more than 400 of its employees and graduates based in Algeria.

Organised by Scottish Development International (SDI), the international arm of Scotland’s enterprise agencies, the Ambassador’s trip to Aberdeen follows the UK Government’s commitment to develop trade links for British companies in Algeria within areas such as oil and gas training and education as well as service and support.

He was welcomed by senior officials from RGU where he was given an overview of the university’s international activities and discussed the trade link developments between the UK and Algeria.

The Ambassador also received a tour of the university’s new state-of-the-art teaching facilities at its Riverside East building, including its leading KCA Deutag DART® training services facility which is housed within the university’s Energy Centre.

John Harper, RGU’s Deputy Principal who met with the Ambassador, said: “We were delighted to welcome Mr Roper to the university.

“We have maintained a strong link with Algeria having delivered education training services to its largest oil and gas company so it was a great opportunity to update him on our international work as well as hear his thoughts on the trade link developments between the UK and Algeria.

“As Algeria continues to develop as an important oil and gas market, there is increased demand for skilled professionals across a range of disciplines and RGU is well placed to provide the variety of courses that equip students with this required expertise.

“I hope we can continue to play a role in preparing the increasing number of personnel needed to harness Algeria’s buoyant oil and gas market.”

David Rennie, Head of Oil & Gas at Scottish Enterprise, says: “We’re delighted to welcome the Ambassador to Scotland this week. Algeria continues to be an important market for the oil and gas industry and there are growing opportunities for Scottish companies within areas such as oil & gas training & education, service and support, pipeline and refining related industries and refining related industries.

“As well as visiting RGU, the Ambassador will meet with 15 of Scotland’s leading oil and gas firms, ranging from multinational companies to innovative SMEs. By building on this relationship with the Ambassador and his team on the ground in Algeria, we hope to open up significant new opportunities for Scottish companies.”

SDI has maintained strong links with the industry in Algeria and is supporting an oil and gas trade mission in June 2014.