LETTER FROM ORAN: APRIL 2010

摘要

This was supposed to be Algeria's moment in the sun. Not only was it hosting the LNG16 conference in the Mediterranean port city of Oran, but last December in Doha oil minister Chekib Khelil had managed to secure hosting rights for the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. On top of that Khelil had formulated a plan in which the gas group could use the Oran meeting to flex its global muscle for the first time. Such were Algeria's expectations for the week that two Spanish cruise liners were sequestered to help the city cope with the influx of international visitors, creating an extra 1,800 rooms to add to existing hotels in town, including the newly built, and so far unused, five star hotel and conference center.