State Minister highlights energy cooperation during Algeria visit

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has stated that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on hydrocarbon sector cooperation between Bangladesh and Algeria has unlocked new avenues for energy imports and joint infrastructure development.

He made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in Algiers on Thursday (October 22), according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Expressing satisfaction over the signing of the MoU, Humaiun Kobir said it creates opportunities to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other petroleum products from Algeria under a government-to-government (G2G) framework.

The agreement also paves the way for jointly establishing oil refineries and LNG infrastructure, alongside exploring coal and gas fields within Bangladesh.

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf noted that considering Bangladesh’s energy demands, the Algerian President had issued immediate directives to prioritize the signing of the MoU.

To enhance the technical capacity of Bangladesh's energy sector, Algeria’s Petroleum Institute expressed keen interest in organizing training and experience-sharing programs for Bangladeshi engineers and technical personnel.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed various bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues of mutual interest, placing significant emphasis on energy, fertilizer, agriculture, textiles, trade, education, and people-to-people connectivity.

They also explored ways to expand bilateral trade and increase investments in the energy sector for the mutual benefit of both nations.

In view of Bangladesh’s demand for fertilizer imports, Minister Attaf expressed Algeria's readiness to cooperate in this sector. Furthermore, he expressed interest in leveraging Bangladesh’s expertise to revive Algeria's textile industry, while expanding cooperation in pharmaceuticals, leather, and textiles.

Both sides underscored the importance of holding regular Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), with the next round scheduled to take place in Dhaka soon.

The two sides also stressed the necessity of exchanging high-level visits to further solidify bilateral relations.

-SA