Algeria
Business meetings are usually formal, owing both to Arabic and holdover Soviet-style socialism principles. Suits should always be worn in winter months, shirt sleeves and ties during the summer. Prior appointments are necessary for larger business firms. Businessmen generally speak Arabic or French and, as a great deal of bargaining is necessary, it is rarely convenient to carry out transactions through an interpreter. Nevertheless, English is slowly gaining favor with some younger bureaucrats. Patience is always important. Visitors are usually entertained in hotels or restaurants, where their wives seldom in attendance. Only rarely are visitors entertained at home. If visiting during Ramadan (and this should be avoided if possible) care should be taken to observe local custom in public places. Office hours are generally 0800-1200 and 1300-1600 Saturday to Wednesday.
The crime rate in Algeria is moderately high, and is increasing. Serious crimes have been reported in which armed men posing as police officers have entered homes of occupants, held them at gunpoint, and robbed them. Armed carjacking is also a serious problem. Petty theft and home burglary occur frequently. Theft of contents and parts from parked cars, pickpocketing, theft on trains and buses, theft of anything left in a hotel room, and purse snatching are common. Most foreigners protect their residence with alarms, grills, watchdogs, and/or guards. Due to the criminal/terrorist practice of setting up false road blocks/checkpoints, one of the more serious threats to safety in Algeria is road travel outside of the major cities. Travelers are also advised to avoid populous neighborhoods after dark.
In general, good hotel accommodations in Algeria are limited. The business centers, and in particular Algiers, tend to have either extremely expensive luxury hotels, which generally have fair security, but which have been targeted by Islamic militants since many Algerian government officials choose to live in the hotels for their own protection. These include the El-Djazair, International Algier, Sofitel Algiers, and the St. George. Oran or Algiers have cheaper hotels, but they tend to be crowded and difficult to get into and have little or no security. The hotels in the resorts along the Mediterranean coast are increasing in number, and many are of a reasonably high standard with fair security.
Hotel Contacts:
El-Djazair (St. George)
24 Avenue Souidani Boudjemaa
Tel: (2) 60 10 00, 59 10 00
Fax: (2) 69 35 08
Sofitel Algiers
172 Rue Hassiba Ben Bouali
Tel: (2) 685-210
Fax: (2) 66 21 04
International Algier Hotel
Pins Maritimes el-Mohammadia
Tel: (2) 21-96 96
Fax: (2) 21 06 06
El Aurassi
Boulevard Frantz Fanon
Algiers, Algeria
Tel: (2) 748-252
Fax: (2) 632-085
Albert
5 Avenue Pasteur
Tel: (2) 630-020
Es Safir
2 Rue Asselah Hocine
Algiers, Algeria
Tel: (2) 735-040
Fax: (2) 636-376
Telephone IDD service is available. The country code: 213 and the outgoing international code: 00. Public telephones are available in all post offices, leading hotels and on many main streets. Telex facilities are available at the main post office in Algiers and also at the El-Aurassi hotel. Telegrams can be sent from any post office during regular business hours. The main post office in Algiers has a 24-hour service. Mail posted in any of the main cities along the coast takes three to four days to reach Europe; posted elsewhere, it could take much longer. A letter delivery service operates Saturday to Thursday, however, parcels sent by surface mail may take up to two months to reach Algeria. All parcels sent by air or surface mail are subject to long delays in customs.
Electricity is 127/220 volts AC, 50Hz. The European-style 2-pin plug is standard.
220 volts AC, 50Hz. The European two-pin plug is standard.
C,F
Traditional Algerian food shows the historic influences of Berber, Arab, Turkish, and French tastes. It can be mild or very spicy and many flavorings are used. Algiers and popular coastal towns have a fair selection of good restaurants, serving mainly French and Italian-style food, though even classic dishes will have an unmistakable Algerian quality. Fish dishes are exceptionally good.
Things to know: The sale of alcohol is not encouraged. Alcohol is only available in more expensive restaurants and hotels. There are no licensing hours and hotel bars tend to stay open for as long
as there is custom. Algeria produces some good wines but very few of them seem to be served in the country itself. The major hotels may have a reasonable cellar of European wines. National specialties:
• In the towns, stalls sell brochettes (kebabs) in French bread and covered in a spicy sauce (if desired). The range of foodstuffs in the south is more limited.
• Couscous, a semolina-like pasta made from cracked wheat, is a staple food in Algeria and throughout North Africa.
• Rice is also a popular staple, and chickpea-cakes make a cheap and tasty accompaniment for food.
• Stews like shakshuka, with vegetables, and tajine, with lamb or chicken, are popular everyday dishes. Sugar or honey can be added to savoury dishes to create a sweet-and-sour taste.
• The traditional diet of desert nomads is based on couscous and the meat of the sheep or goats they herd. When traveling, desert people carry pressed dates or figs, and hard cheese, which keeps for a long time. National drinks:
• As in much of North Africa and the Middle East, refreshing, golden-colored mint tea and strong, sweet coffee (sometimes called Turkish coffee) are drunk wherever people gather to talk and relax, a legacy of French rule.
• If available, try Medea, Mansourah and Mascara red wines and Medea, Mascara and Lismara rosés. Tipping:
10 per cent is usual.Nightlife
The main towns offer reasonable entertainment facilities, including hotel restaurants, nightclubs, discos, folk dancing and traditional music. In Algiers and Oran, some cinemas show English and French films.
