Energy MoU with Algeria opens new scope for LNG-LPG imports and joint infrastructure, says Humayun Kabir
The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Bangladesh and Algeria on cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector has created new opportunities for energy imports and joint infrastructure development, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir has said.
He made the remarks at a bilateral meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in Algiers on Thursday (22 October), according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Expressing satisfaction at the signing of the MoU, Humayun Kabir said it creates the opportunity to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other petroleum products from Algeria on a government-to-government (G2G) basis.
He said the understanding will also create opportunities to jointly build oil refineries and LNG infrastructure, as well as to explore coal and gas fields in Bangladesh. In other words, the cooperation is not limited to imports alone — it extends to exploration and infrastructure inside the country as well.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf said his country's president had given him immediate instructions to prioritise signing the MoU, considering Bangladesh's energy needs. The remark indicates that the cooperation has been given importance from Algeria's highest level.
To strengthen the technical capacity of Bangladesh's energy sector, Algeria's petroleum institute has expressed interest in arranging training and experience-exchange programmes for Bangladeshi engineers and technical staff, opening a path for cooperation in building skilled manpower for the sector as well.
At the meeting, the two ministers discussed various bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. Energy, fertiliser, agriculture, textiles, trade, education and increasing people-to-people contact between the two countries received emphasis.
They also discussed ways to expand bilateral trade for mutual benefit and to increase investment in the energy sector. In view of Bangladesh's fertiliser import needs, Attaf expressed interest in cooperation in that sector.
He also expressed interest in using Bangladesh's experience and expertise to revive Algeria's textile industry, and in expanding cooperation in pharmaceuticals, leather and textiles. In other words, Bangladesh is not only receiving cooperation — offers to share its own areas of strength have also come to the fore.
Both sides stressed holding regular foreign-office consultations, with the next meeting to be held in Dhaka soon. They also emphasised the need for exchanges of high-level visits to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Bangladesh's energy demand is constantly rising, and diversifying import sources is important for the government in meeting that demand. The MoU with Algeria is being seen as a step towards that diversification of sources.
It now remains to be seen how quickly the MoU's announcements turn into real contracts and imports. The next meeting in Dhaka may provide the first indication of that progress.
