BUENOS AIRES, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Argentine President Cristina Fernandez arrived in Algeria on Sunday, making her first stop on an Africa tour.

    Fernandez, accompanied by a mission of 70 Argentine businessmen, was welcomed at the Algiers airport by Algerian President Abdelaziz Buteflika.

    During her visit to Algiers, Fernandez was expected to meet with Buteflika, Prime Minister Ahmed Uyahia, and Abdelaziz, president of the Algerian Parliament. Fernandez was also to participate in a seminar on commercial opportunities, business and investments between the two countries.

    According to reports from Algiers, the two countries will sign agreements to enhance cooperation in health, commercialization of pharmaceutical products and cultural promotion.

    It was reported that Argentina will continue civil cooperation with Algeria in building a nuclear reactor to generate electricity in the city of Draria, near Algiers, where Fernandez was to visit Monday.

    According to official statistics, trade between both countries has increased 585 percent, reaching some 800 million U.S. dollars during the past five years, with a favorable balance for Argentina.

    Argentina is Algeria's main provider of milk powder, cereals, honey, fats and vegetable oils, as well as iron and steel products. In 2007 it imported from Algeria hydrocarbon by-products valued at 19.2 million U.S. dollars.

    Fernandez's trip marks the first time in 24 years that an Argentine president has visited Algeria. Fernandez later was to travel to Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.