<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Algeria has underlined the need to engage in more efforts to scale up bilateral collaboration with Bangladesh.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangladesh stressed the need for expanding cooperation in new and emerging areas through a time-bound and target-oriented roadmap and expediting pending agreements, MOUs, and new areas of collaboration.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Algeria agreed to conclude those agreements as soon as possible, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Minister of Finance and Head of Algerian delegation to BRICS Outreach Forum, Laaziz Faid, had a courtesy meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday in Johannesburg, South Africa.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While reflecting on the current energy crisis, given the growing demand in Bangladesh due to the expansion of the economy, the Foreign Minister stated that Bangladesh needs support from Algeria to meet its energy needs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He expressed Bangladesh's keen interest in buying LNG from Algeria.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Foreign Minister and the Algerian Finance Minister exchanged views on various bilateral issues of mutual interests.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Foreign Minister informed the long historical relations between both countries, which was pioneered by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He expressed satisfaction at the state of excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Algeria, which is growing in various fields including political, economic, business, trade, and investment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Momen informed him about Bangladesh’s earnest interest in joining BRICS.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Algerian Finance Minister referred to the NAM Summit of 1973 and defined BRICS as a fruit of NAM.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both parties agreed that despite excellent relations there are still huge untapped prospects between the countries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dr Momen requested the Algerian Finance Minister to expedite the process of completing the agreement on ‘Reciprocal bilateral promotion and protection of investment’ and ‘Avoidance of double taxation’.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He also informed the Algerian Finance Minister about the socio-economic development and economic prospects.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Highlighting that Bangladeshi pharmaceuticals export to more than 100 countries, the Foreign Minister suggested that Algeria can import the best quality pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh at a reasonably low price.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both countries may also start a joint venture on pharmaceuticals.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He also proposed cooperation in IT and ICT sectors, defence, construction sectors, edible oil, and agriculture.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both countries also agreed to hold high-level visits in the next year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During the meeting, the Algerian Finance Minister said he would take up the issue with the concerned stakeholders.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangladesh Ambassador to Algeria and Foreign Ministry officials were also present during the meeting. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>