Russia to continue to support Bangladesh

Describing his country as a key economic partner of Bangladesh, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy on Tuesday said that Russia would continue to support Bangladesh in the international fora.

The Russian envoy made the remark during a courtesy meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna.

The ambassador said the state-run Russian energy company, Gazprom, has expressed interest to explore five more gas wells in the island of Bhola and more inland wells.

He said the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is at the final stage and is expected to go into operation next year.

During the meeting with the Chief Adviser, the Russian Ambassador discussed the nuclear power plant, which Bangladesh is building with technical and financial support from Russia, and increased cooperation on food security, energy exploration, and science and technology.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus recalled Russia’s role during Bangladesh’s Liberation War and its vital mine cleaning operations at the Chattogram Port.

Prof Yunus urged the Russian envoy to increase imports from Bangladesh, including products other than readymade garments, which constitute some 90 percent of Bangladesh’s exports to Russia.

“We need to diversify our exports,” Chief Adviser’s press wing quoted Prof Yunus as saying.

Ambassador Mantytskiy said Russia is a key economic partner of Bangladesh as it exports vital food grains and fertiliser to the country. Last year, Russia exported more than 2.3 million tonnes of wheat to Bangladesh and this year, the shipment crossed two million tonnes.