Russia keen to export more wheat, fertiliser to Bangladesh

Russia is willing to export more wheat and fertiliser to Bangladesh.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said this when he met Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in Hainan province on Thursday.

He said, "Russia would like to export more wheat and fertiliser to Bangladesh."

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest, including the operation of the Russia-funded Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Bangladesh's plan to import wheat and fertiliser from Russia and Gazprom's gas exploration work in Bangladesh.

Prof Yunus said financial issues over the Rooppur power plant have been sorted out, with Bangladesh repaying the money in an account in Dhaka.

He said the Rooppur power plant is expected to start generating power on a trial basis by the end of this year.

The chief adviser said Bangladesh would import more wheat and fertiliser from Russia.

Bangladesh was also keen to see Russian energy giant Gazprom conduct more offshore and onshore exploration activities in the country, he said.

Alexey Overchuk stressed increasing people-to-people contacts between the two countries, saying Russia would like to see more Bangladeshi students study in the country.

Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, Energy and Transport Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan and High Representative to the Chief Adviser Khalilur Rahman were also present during the meeting.