Dhaka seeks Algeria's cooperation for energy, food security

Bangladesh has sought Algeria’s cooperation to strengthen long-term energy security and secure fertiliser supplies to support food security.

State Ministers for Foreign Affairs Humaion Kobir and Shama Obaed Islam sought the cooperation on Sunday as Algerian Ambassador Abdelouahab Saidani paid a courtesy call at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.

While the ministry issued separate statements regarding the meetings held by the two state ministers, the discussions covered largely similar issues, including energy, fertilisers, trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, shipbuilding, and people-to-people contact.

Both state ministers urged greater cooperation in the energy sector, while also stressing the importance of fertiliser supplies for Bangladesh’s food security.

Algeria is a major LNG exporter. Data from the German data provider Statista indicates that, as of September 2025, the African nation ranks sixth in terms of gas export capacity.

Humaion called for greater people-to-people contact and high-level visits to strengthen bilateral ties.

Ambassador Saidani expressed interest in expanding cooperation in energy, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, shipbuilding and direct shipping links, as well as increasing high-level exchanges.

The statement said Shama also proposed increasing Bangladesh’s exports of perishable goods and environmentally friendly jute and jute products to Algeria, and called for stronger cooperation in sports and culture.