Dhaka, Moscow keen to build wheat silo at Payra Port with Russian funds

Food Minister Afroza Khanam on Tuesday proposed the construction of a wheat silo with Russian financing on the unused land of Payra Sea Port in Patuakhali with the capacity of 2-5 lakh metric tonnes.

The Russian ambassador Alexander Khozin welcomed the proposal after getting it when he paid a courtesy call on the food minister at ministry office, said a press release.

During the meeting, the Russian ambassador proposed exporting wheat to Bangladesh on a government-to-government (G2G) basis. He also put forward a proposal to build a wheat silo at Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar with Russian financing.

In response, the food minister said the proposal to import wheat from Russia at the government level would be reviewed and a decision would be communicated later.

On building a silo at Maheshkhali, she said it may be difficult to find suitable land for such a large infrastructure in the Cox’s Bazar area due to a shortage of land.

As an alternative, the unused land of Payra Sea Port in Patuakhali could be considered, she said.

The food minister said there is a possibility of building a large-capacity wheat silo at Payra Sea Port, as the necessary port infrastructure and communication facilities already exist there.

Operations could begin with an initial capacity of 2 lakh metric tonnes and be raised in phases to 5 lakh metric tonnes, she said, adding, if such a system is established, wheat imported from Russia can be stored in Bangladesh.

It will later create scope to sell the wheat in the local market to private wheat importers of the country, as well as for the government to buy the stored wheat when needed, she opined.

This will further strengthen the country’s wheat supply and storage management, and both countries may benefit economically, she said.

The minister also said that if a silo is built at Payra Sea Port, it will be possible to ensure easy and effective transport of wheat to key wheat transport and supply centres of the country, including Narayanganj and Baghabari in Sirajganj.

She invited the Russian ambassador to visit Payra Sea Port on the spot to assess the feasibility of the proposal. She said an on-site visit would make it easier to take decisions on a suitable site for the silo, infrastructure facilities and project implementation.

The Russian ambassador welcomed the food minister’s proposal and expressed interest in the matter.

Mentioning that Russia is a long-tested friend of Bangladesh, the food minister said both countries are interested in further strengthening the existing friendly relations and expanding trade and economic cooperation.

She expressed hope that the people of both countries would benefit through mutual cooperation and exchange of experience.

Russian Embassy First Secretary Anastasia Nemova, Food Secretary Abu Taher Md Masud Rana, Directorate General of Food Director General Md Jashim Uddin Khan, and officials of the Ministry of Food and related offices were present at the meeting.