Bangladesh and Algeria have opened a formal government-to-government (G2G) channel for energy cooperation that could lead to imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other petroleum products from the North African country.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood and Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines Mohamed Arkab signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Algiers on Tuesday, according to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The MoU does not itself commit either side to specific fuel volumes, prices or delivery schedules. Instead, it creates a framework for the two governments to pursue potential energy trade and wider cooperation.
The two ministers discussed possible imports of LNG, LPG and other petroleum products from Algeria under the G2G mechanism.
They also discussed cooperation in developing LNG and LPG infrastructure in Bangladesh, as well as exploration of oil, gas and coal.
That gives the agreement a broader scope than fuel procurement alone, covering potential supply diversification, infrastructure development and upstream energy cooperation.
Mahmood also requested Algeria to arrange training programmes for Bangladeshi engineers and technicians to gain technical knowledge and exposure to Algerian energy-sector practices.
He said the engagement could open a new avenue for Bangladesh’s energy security and create access to alternative African sources of LNG, LPG and other petroleum products.
During the visit, Mahmood also held separate meetings on Tuesday with Algerian officials responsible for mining and renewable energy.
Those discussions covered possible cooperation in trade, investment, energy, fertiliser and knowledge sharing.
Arkab received Mahmood at Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers on Monday at the start of the visit.
Experts said the immediate significance of the MoU is therefore not a confirmed fuel purchase, but the creation of an official channel through which Bangladesh can explore Algerian energy supplies and related investment, infrastructure and technical cooperation.
