Algeria urged to increase apparel, pharma imports from Bangladesh

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today urged Algeria to increase the imports of ready-made garments and pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to further strengthen economic relations between the two countries.

He also called on Algeria to recruit skilled Bangladeshi manpower, including doctors and nurses.

The minister made the remarks when Algerian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdel Wahab Saidani paid a courtesy call on him at his secretariat office here.

According to a release issued by the home ministry, the meeting discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including maintaining peace and order, security cooperation, prevention and suppression of human trafficking, migration management and expansion of economic and trade relations between the two countries.

The meeting placed particular emphasis on providing specialized training to enhance the efficiency and professionalism of security forces, organizing joint workshops and exchanging legal assistance.
It was also informed at the meeting that initiatives have been undertaken at the government-to-government (G2G) level of Bangladesh and Algeria for the long-term import of LNG and fertiliser.

Both the sides agreed that the initiatives would take bilateral commercial relations to a new height.

During the discussion, the Algerian ambassador recalled that Algeria was the first Arab country to recognise Bangladesh after its independence in 1971.

He expressed Algeria’s strong interest in further strengthening the historic and friendly relations between the two countries.

In response, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said Algeria could increase the imports of ready-made garments and pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to further accelerate bilateral economic relations.

Regarding the legal complications involving an Algerian national currently facing proceeding in Bangladesh, the home minister advised that an application be submitted through the appropriate court procedures and assured that Bangladesh would provide necessary legal assistance in the matter.

Referring to the invitation extended by the Bangladesh Prime Minister to the Algerian President to visit Bangladesh, the minister said Bangladesh is pleased as the Algerian President has accepted the invitation. He stressed the need to determine a convenient diplomatic date for the visit.
At the meeting, both the countries reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening and strengthening cooperation in security, trade and bilateral diplomatic relations.

Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, Additional Secretary of the Political and Immigration Wing Dr Ziauddin Ahmed, Director General of the Africa Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ATM Abdur Rouf Mondal, among others, were present at that time.