Actavis, a pharmaceutical company with a plant in Malta, wants to make the island its regional hub for north, central and west Africa and beyond, Actavis vice-president for emerging markets Hordur Thorhallson said.

He was speaking at the signing of a multi-million dollar five-year agreement with an Algerian company for the distribution and packaging of a number of generic products this morning. Actavis is expected to make some €14 million a year from the deal, Daniel Vella Friggieri, regional director for north, central and west Africa, said.

The Algerian company, Laboratoire Pharmaceutique Algerien, is considered a leader in the Algerian pharmaceutical market.

Actavis specialises in the development, manufacturing and sales of generic pharmaceuticals.