Renault, the French car maker, is to build its next factory in Algeria, news reports in France say.
The factory would boost Algeria's industrial development plans and strengthen its role as a growing offshore centre for European manufacturing.
Yesterday, Aabar Investments of Abu Dhabi announced it would decide soon on similar plans for Algeria, in partnership with five German companies including Daimler and MAN Ferrostaal.
Renault would build the factory at Rouiba, on the outskirts of the capital Algiers, and would assemble the Logan and Sandero models, sold under the Dacia marque, as well as the Symbol, which is now built in Turkey. A spokesman for Renault said no discussions had been concluded in Algeria but the group was observing what was going on in a number of countries.
Renault, founded in 1898, sells its vehicles in 118 countries under three brands: Renault, Dacia of Romania, and Renault Samsung Motors in South Korea.
More than a third of its sales are made outside of Europe and the plans for an Algerian factory are seen as a way to boost the car maker's presence in North Africa.
In 1999, Renault formed an alliance with Nissan, and together they are the world's fourth-largest car company.
To conform with Algerian regulations, Renault would have a 49 per cent stake in the new venture, partnering with the state-owned SNVI, although the French maker would run the site.
"It couldn't maintain this level without a local investment," Le Monde, the French newspaper, quoted a diplomat as saying.
The project has yet to be given approval from Algerian authorities but it would help the country's ambition to build up a car industry.
Renault holds top position in the Algerian car market. It sold 17,000 Dacia vehicles and 39,000 Renaults last year, giving it almost a quarter of the market. In the UAE, Renault has often sought creative ways to market its vehicles, unveiling its 2009 Koleos, an off-road vehicle, on the artificial snow slopes of Ski Dubai in the Mall of the Emirates.
* with Reuters
@Email:igale@thenational.ae
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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