Mohammad Shajibul-Al-Rajib:
The 72nd anniversary of Algeria’s historic revolution for independence was celebrated in Dhaka, marked by a commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations with Bangladesh and expand cooperation in the sectors of energy, trade, and investment. To commemorate the occasion, the Embassy of Algeria in Bangladesh hosted a grand reception on Sunday evening (November 1, 2026) at the Sky Ballroom of Le Méridien Dhaka.
Dr. Abdelwahab Saidani, the Algerian Ambassador to Bangladesh, delivered the welcome address. He was joined by Mrs. Meriem Saidani in hosting the event and welcoming the guests. The Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, attended the event as the chief guest. Other attendees included ambassadors and high commissioners from various nations, representatives of diplomatic missions, senior government officials, delegates from international organizations, journalists, and members of the Algerian community residing in Bangladesh.
In his speech, Ambassador Dr. Abdelwahab Saidani paid deep tribute to the heroic martyrs and freedom fighters of Algeria’s historic liberation struggle, which began on November 1, 1954. He noted that this revolution against 132 years of French colonial rule not only paved the way for Algeria’s own independence but also served as an inspiration for liberation movements across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Highlighting this year’s theme, “November 1: National Memory and the Future of the Ummah,” the Ambassador underscored the historical significance of Algeria’s struggle for independence. He stated that the core pillars of Algeria’s foreign policy are freedom, the right to self-determination, sovereignty, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. He also reaffirmed Algeria’s support for the legitimate rights and aspirations of the people of Palestine and Western Sahara.
Discussing Algeria’s economic progress and investment potential, the Ambassador mentioned that under the leadership of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the country is placing a strong emphasis on the diversification of its economy. Various initiatives have been undertaken—notably to boost exports beyond the energy sector—covering areas such as infrastructure development, mineral resources, agriculture, housing, and the attraction of foreign investment.
Regarding Bangladesh-Algeria relations, the Ambassador noted the long-standing historical friendship and mutual solidarity between the two nations. In December 1971, Algeria became the first Arab country to formally recognize Bangladesh’s independence. He expressed optimism about expanding cooperation across several sectors, including energy, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, ready-made garments, leather goods, healthcare, and shipbuilding.
He highlighted the recent visit of a high-level ministerial delegation from Bangladesh to Algeria as a significant milestone in advancing bilateral economic and strategic cooperation.
In his address as the chief guest, Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud extended his greetings to the government and people of Algeria on the 72nd anniversary of their great liberation revolution. He remarked that both Bangladesh and Algeria share a common historical experience in their respective struggles for independence. He emphasized the need to further strengthen this historical bond by enhancing trade, investment, energy cooperation, and people-to-people ties.
The Minister noted that there are substantial opportunities for Algerian investment in various Bangladeshi sectors, including ready-made garments, industrial goods, food products, ceramics, and light engineering. Conversely, he encouraged Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to explore investment and business expansion in Algeria, leveraging the country’s strategic geographical location and economic potential.
Commending Algeria’s extensive experience in the oil, gas, and mineral sectors, the Minister underscored the importance of deepening cooperation between the two nations in areas such as energy technology, technology transfer, and skill development.
He further highlighted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation between Bangladesh and Algeria as a historic advancement in their bilateral relations. This MoU was signed during the visit of a Bangladeshi ministerial delegation to Algeria from October 20 to 22, 2026. The Minister expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and cooperation extended by the Algerian government during the visit. Speakers at the event noted that there is significant potential to transform the long-standing friendly relations between Bangladesh and Algeria into a concrete economic partnership. In particular, mutual cooperation in sectors such as energy, trade, investment, the pharmaceutical industry, and industrial development could elevate the economic ties between the two nations to new heights.
The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the historical friendship, the spirit of independence and sovereignty, and the mutual respect shared by the two countries. In his closing remarks, Ambassador Dr. Abdelwahab Saidani stated, “Long live Algeria, long live Bangladesh; may the friendship between Bangladesh and Algeria remain steadfast.”
