Bangladesh’s export to Algeria rising : Commerce Advisor

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin said that Bangladesh is eyeing expansion of the export market in African countries, which has shown a gradual rise in recent years.

He was speaking as the chief guest at an Iftar party in the city on Wednesday, hosted by the Embassy of Algeria in collaboration with the Bangladesh-Algeria Business Forum (BABF).The event underscored both nations' commitment to enhancing trade relations and investment opportunities, particularly in the infrastructure, energy, textiles, and technology sectors.

Turkish Ambassador in Dhaka Ramis Şen, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Bangladesh Haji Haris bin Othman, Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan  Kamran Dhangal and  President of Bangladesh-Algeria Business Forum (BABF) Mohd Nurul Mustafa and other members of the BABF, business leaders, among others, attended the programme.

During the meeting with the Algerian Ambassador, Sheikh Bashir Uddin urged Algeria to import world-standard Bangladeshi products such as textiles, jute, pharmaceuticals, food and electronics.The African continent comprises 54 countries, but Bangladesh has significant trade relations with only four countries: South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya. In recent years, Algeria has emerged as an economic trading partner of Bangladesh out of the African countries. "The economies of Asia and African countries will do better this century compared to the economies of the European Union and North American countries," Sheikh Bashir Uddin said.  "The trade relations with Bangladesh are below potentials that need to be increased as economies of both countries have been growing steadily over the years, "he said.

He also said that Africa has witnessed substantial economic growth in recent years, and its trajectory suggests continued expansion in the decades to come. Despite existing challenges, the continent's economic outlook remains positive.               
Bangladesh has emphasised increasing trade with African countries, and Bangladesh's trade with Algeria, an important country on the African continent, has been growing strongly in recent years, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data, Bangladesh's exports to Algeria stood at 18 million US dollars during the July-February period of the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Bangladesh's exports to Algeria were recorded at 22.00 million US dollars during the July-June period of the 2023-24 fiscal year and at 12.00 million US dollars during the July-June period of the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Algeria imports jute and jute products, woven and knitwear, home textiles, and footwear from Bangladesh. It also imports a considerable quantity of consumer goods, cereals, dairy products, plastics, and medicines from the world market every year.
Algeria also has a vast potential market for artificial filaments, glass and ceramics, leather goods, and electronics.

 "The economy of Bangladesh has been growing steadily over the years as the South Asian country has become a member of developing economies. Algeria is looking to explore trade potentials with Bangladesh," said the Ambassador of Algeria to Bangladesh, Dr. Abdelouahab Saidani.
Lauding the leadership of interim Government head Dr Mohammed Yunus, he said, 'Bangladesh has been on the right track under his leadership. In the changed environment in the world order, Algeria is working hard on improving trade relations with Bangladesh in the coming days.
Md Mamunur Rahman, a key representative of BABF, reiterated the forum's commitment to expanding business networks and fostering trade collaborations.
During his presentation, he pointed out that Algeria presents a strategic gateway for Bangladeshi businesses into North Africa and the wider MENA region.

"As we share this blessed moment of Iftar, we also celebrate the spirit of partnership and growth. BABF is committed to creating new business avenues that will benefit both Bangladesh and Algeria in the long term," he added. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's total exports to African countries amounted to 308 million US dollars, representing a modest 0.6 per cent of its exports in fiscal 2021. In the year 2023, overall exports amounted to 1.8 billion US dollars.