Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytsky said his country is looking forward to strengthen the trade and economic ties with Bangladesh further for ensuring mutual benefits of two friendly nations.

“Apart from political issues, we are now focusing on our economic and trade relations not only for the benefits of our country but your country too. Russian big companies are ready to invest and discuss demand and supply in so many areas,” Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytsky said on Thursday while speaking at DCAB Talk at Jatiya Press Club organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB).
Terming Bangladesh Russia’s second largest trade partner in South Asia, he said in January-November 2023, the trade volume amounted to $2.3 billion.

The ambassador said Russia makes a significant contribution to Bangladesh’s food security.

“In 2023, Bangladesh imported almost 2.7 mln tons of grain from Russia. Ramadan is coming. Foods need to be cheaper. Russia continues to supply wheat and we are ready to supply peas, chickpeas and sunflower oil,” he said.

Expressing Russia’s interest in diversification of export basket, Mantytsky said big corporations of his country can export metals, steels and machinery, equipment and technologies necessary for railway, road construction, and other industrial spheres and set up extraction plants, while he believes Bangladesh’s businesspersons also can export readymade garment products, jute-made products, fish and pharmaceuticals to Russia.

The Russian ambassador also stressed on the importance of setting up direct banking system between the two countries for settling trade in ruble.

Speaking about the Russian cooperation in Bangladesh’s energy sector, he said energy has been the backbone of two countries’ cooperation. 

“In 2023, Gazprom continued projects aimed at enhancing Bangladesh energy security. The construction of three additional wells on Bhola Island was completed, bringing the total number of drilled wells to twenty. The company’s proposals for gas evacuation and exploration of new fields are under consideration,” the envoy said.

According to him, there are more offers and projects in the pipeline, such as the supply of Russian LNG and crude oil for further local refining, Russian solar energy technologies, upgrade of local power stations, and more.

Terming Rooppur more than just a power plant, Mantytsky said through training of Bangladeshi students in nuclear universities in Russia and at the education center at Rooppur itself, Russia assists in adding a large amount of skilled engineers to the Bangladesh.

Talking about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s probable discussion with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, the ambassador said it will not impact bilateral relations.

“The question came as Bangladesh has accepted the Ukrainian president’s request to meet the Prime Minister. We appreciate the balanced policy of your Prime Minister on Russia-Ukraine war,” the envoy said.

Criticising the policy of Ukrainian President, Mantytsky said his country is against Zelensky’s peace formula as it has shortcomings, hypocrisy and lack of connection to reality.

He said Russia is favour of Rohingya repatriation but thinks that conditions should be favourable for repatriation before taking any such move.

DCAB General Secretary Ashiqur Rahman Apu delivered the welcome address in the programme with DCAB President Nurul Islam Hasib in the chair.