The two sides focused on means to develop economic cooperation between the two countries, and boost US investments in Algeria, said the Industry Ministry in a statement.

The discussions, attended by US Ambassador to Algeria Joan A. Polaschik, took place ahead of the fifth discussions on Algeria-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), to be held in Algiers on 24 April 2017.

During the audience, Mullaney reiterated his country's willingness to cooperate with Algeria, hoping that the forthcoming session on TIFA would be an opportunity to examine means to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, Bouchouareb recalled the reforms undertaken by Algeria over the past years in order to improve business climate.

He also explained Algeria's policy for the diversification of its economy, especially in the current context.