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Algiers - The deputy trade minister called on Algeria on Tuesday to ease the way for MTN to buy Djezzy, the Algerian unit of Egypt's Orascom Telecom, a financial source present at a joint meeting between government officials from Algeria and South Africa told Reuters.
"We wish that Algeria helps MTN to buy Orascom so it can be present here," South Africa's Deputy Trade Minister Ntuli Maria said in reply to remarks made by Algeria's Industry Minister Hamid Temmar, added the source who does not wish to be named.
Algeria has not given any answer yet.
Maria is among South African officials accompanying President Jacob Zuma, who is in Algiers for a two-day-visit to the North African country.
The warm links between the two countries culminated in 1998 when they set up a framework of cooperation.
"We want to do things differently, we want to do things faster and smarter," Maria said.
MTN has shown interest in buying Egypt's Orascom Telecom's unit operating under the Djezzy brand, but Algeria's government blocked the deal, saying it has the right to buy it.
If MTN was to buy Djezzy, it would become the world's third-biggest cellphone service provider.
- Reuters