HISTORICAL BACKROUND

Algeria opened its Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in 1993. Relations between Algeria and Malaysia are excellent. As members of the NAM, the OIC, the G15 and the G77, the two countries share similar views on various international issues and coordinate their positions in various international conferences and forums, particularly at the UN. At the economic level, the setting up in July 2010 of the Malaysia- Algeria Business Council (MABC), under the chairmanship of Datuk Suhaidi SULAIMAN, has opened prospects for expanding and strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, particularly in sectors such as agro-industry, transports, public works, ICT, services, tourism, water resources, construction….

Visits exchanged both at the official and business level between Algeria and Malaysia attest of the good health of their relations:

The Algerian President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, visited Malaysia, twice, in the context of his participation to the NAM and OIC Summits, which were held in Kuala Lumpur in 2003. The former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, heading an important delegation, made an historical official visit to Algeria in august 2003 during which several agreements were signed concerning bilateral trade, Information and communication technology as well as cooperation between APS and BERNAMA news agencies.

We can, also, mention the visits to Algeria by:

• Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the former Prime Minister, in April 1994, when he was in charge of portfolio of Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• Datuk Seri Hamid Albar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, in January 2000, during which the agreement on promotion and protection of investment was signed.
• Delegation of Malaysian Experts (EPU) to Algeria for the audit of the Algerian economy (29 September to 8 October 2000 ).
• Malaysia participated at the International Fair of Algiers in June 2000).
• Malaysian Deputy Minister of Tourism made in 2004 a visit to Algeria to study the possibilities of cooperation.
  
  Recent visits
• Dato’ Hamzah Bin Zainudin, Deputy-Minister of Plantation industries and Commodities, (26-29 September 2010).
• Delegation of MATRADE and MABC visited Algeria i(19-22 December 2010)
• Dato’ Seri Mohamed NAZRI Ben Abdelaziz, Minister at the Department of the Prime Minister ( 1 - 4 February 2011)
• Dato’ Mukhriz Ibn Dr Mahathir, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry (28 February-3 rd March 2011).

As well as the Visits to Malaysia by:

• H.E. Mr Salah Dembri, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria (May 1995), during the visit, an agreement on Economic , cultural and technical cooperation and an agreement of partial suppression of visa between two countries were signed.
• H.E. Mr Hamid Temmar, former Minister of participation and coordination of reforms (23-25 November 2000). This was the second visit of Mr. Temmar to Malaysia after the one he had made as Minister of Trade heading Algerian delegation multi-sectors based ( 25 - 30 march, 2003).
• H.E Mr. Abdelaziz Belkhadem, Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria in 2002.
• Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E Mr Ahmed Amine Kherbi, in 2002.
• H.E Mr Amar Ghoul, Minister of Publics Works, in 2003, heading Algerian delegation multi-sectors based.

Cultural and Technical Relations:

Algeria continues to benefit from Malaysian Program of technical cooperation (MTCP). In higher education sector, around hundreds of Algerian Students are studying in Malaysia. The authorities of both countries have expressed their wish to enhance their ties in the area of higher education and culture.

Major Exports By Malaysia:

Palm oil, Chemicals & Chemical products, Vegetable Oil, Woods Products, Textiles and Clothing.

Major Imports from Algeria:

Crude Fertilizers & Crude Minerals, Chemicals and Chemicals Products.