Bangladesh and Algeria on Thursday discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in energy, trade, agriculture, fertilisers, textiles, education and other sectors for the mutual benefit of both countries.

The discussions took place at a bilateral meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf in Algiers, where the two sides also shed light on regional and multilateral issues of mutual concern.

They discussed ways to expand bilateral trade and investment, particularly in the energy sector.

Referring to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Bangladesh and Algeria recently on hydrocarbon cooperation, Kobir said the engagement has opened a new horizon for Bangladesh to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and other petroleum products from the North African country under a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement.

The MoU also offers scope for cooperation in refinery development, LNG infrastructure and the exploration of coal and gas fields in Bangladesh, he said.

The Algerian Petroleum Institute expressed interest in providing a training and knowledge-sharing programme for Bangladeshi engineers and technicians in the field of energy, developing self-reliance energy skills in Bangladesh.

Attaf said the Algerian President had directed that the hydrocarbon MoU be signed on a priority basis in response to Bangladesh's energy needs.

On fertiliser cooperation, he expressed Algeria's willingness to work with Bangladesh to help meet the country's fertiliser requirements and support its agricultural sector.

The minister also sought Bangladesh's experience in reviving Algeria's textile industry and expressed interest in cooperation in the pharmaceutical, leather and textile sectors.

Both sides underscored the importance of holding Foreign Office Consultations regularly, and the next round of consultations will be held in Dhaka soon.

The two sides discussed the importance of exchanging high-level visits to further consolidate the existing bilateral relations between the two countries.