Huawei Technologies, a leading Chinese telecommunication group, opened a regional office here Tuesday to enhance the coordination and the provision of better services in the North-Western African region.

Algerian posts, technologies, information and communications minister Boudjemaa Haichour and Chinese ambassador to Algeria Zhang Shixian attended the inauguration ceremony.

The Algerian minister hailed the opening of the regional office, saying it was a testimony of the success of China-Africa cooperation forum summit held last November in Beijing, attended by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

He expressed the hope that the new regional office will play an important role in helping Algeria to fast-track the development of its telecommunication sector, and in training of its technical personnel in this field.

The Chinese ambassador said the opening of the office was an indication of close traditional friendship existing between China and Algeria, expressing optimism that it will contribute to the development of the telecommunication sector in the region for the benefit of its people.

Formed in 1988, Huawei Technologies is a leading supplier of telecommunication services in over 100 countries. It started its operations in Algeria in 1999, becoming one of its major suppliers of telecommunication equipments.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2007)