Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Aleksandr Mantytsky said on Tuesday that Russia will continue to support Bangladesh in international forums.
He made these comments during a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser of the interim Bangladesh government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, at the state guest house Jamuna, according to a press release.
During the meeting, they discussed the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, which Bangladesh is building with technical and financial support from Russia, as well as increased cooperation in food security, energy exploration, and science and technology.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus recalled Russia's role during Bangladesh's War of Independence and its vital mine-clearing operations at Chattogram Port.
He urged the Russian envoy to increase imports from Bangladesh, including products beyond the readymade garments, which currently constitute around 90 percent of Dhaka's exports to Russia.
"We need to diversify our exports," he emphasized.
Ambassador Mantytsky noted that Russia is a key economic partner for Bangladesh, as it exports vital food grains and fertilizers to the country.
Last year, Russia exported more than 2.3 million tonnes of wheat to Bangladesh, and this year the shipment has already crossed two million tonnes.
He mentioned that the state-run Russian energy company, Gazprom, has expressed interest in exploring five more gas wells on the island of Bhola and additional wells inland.
He added that the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is in its final stages and is expected to go into operation next year.
The ambassador also highlighted Russia's interest in exporting LNG to Bangladesh.
The Chief Adviser further emphasized the need to expand economic and educational cooperation, as well as people-to-people ties, between the two nations.
