Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane (R) and French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne attend the Algerian-French Economic Forum in Algiers, Algeria, on Oct. 10, 2022. (Xinhua)

ALGIERS, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) — The Algerian-French Economic Forum kicked off Monday in Algiers with the participation of businessmen and investors from both countries.

The forum, under the theme “For a Renewed Economic Partnership,” was co-chaired by Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane and his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne.

Borne said that her visit to Algiers aimed at “working on implementing the agreements signed during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron in August to pave the way for renewing the partnership between the two countries.”

Borne added that the bilateral meetings between the two countries, including the business forum, focus mainly on investment opportunities offered by Algeria in light of the new investment law.

Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane attends the Algerian-French Economic Forum in Algiers, Algeria, on Oct. 10, 2022. (Xinhua)

According to figures provided by the French Foreign Ministry, France tops the list of investors outside the hydrocarbon sector and the list of foreign operators in Algeria, with some 500 companies activating in various fields including energy, banking, agriculture, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, education and culture.

Earlier on Monday, Borne was received by Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune in his office in Algiers, according to a statement of the Presidency.

Accompanied by 16 senior officials, the French PM arrived in Algeria on Sunday for a two-day visit.

Late on Sunday, Borne and Benabderrahmane co-chaired the 5th Algerian-French High-Level Intergovernmental Committee meeting, during which several cooperation agreements were signed covering the sectors of industry and technology, startups and innovation, agriculture, higher education and scientific research, labor and employment, and tourism.  ■