Moscow: Bangladesh is in discussion with Russia to enhance manpower, sending up to 100,000 workers within the next year. Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman made a proposal to the Russian authorities on Monday who agreed to work on it expeditiously. Currently, nearly 10,000 Bangladeshis are working in Russia, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides are expected to complete necessary formalities in this regard soon.
According to United News of Bangladesh, during a bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Dr. Khalilur discussed increasing bilateral trade volume and requested the Russian government for duty-free quota-free market access to Bangladesh’s products, urging steps for a fast-track registration process. He also requested Russian investment in special economic zones and Hi-Tech parks in Bangladesh, particularly in sectors such as light-to-heavy engineering, food and agro-processing, petrochemicals, steel manufacturing, and IT.
Dr. Khalilur also sought Russia’s support for concluding a Free Trade Agreement between Bangladesh and the Eurasia Economic Commission (EEC), which includes Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Both sides agreed that the trade volume between Bangladesh and Russia is well below its potential, with the Foreign Minister emphasizing the prospect of increasing Bangladeshi exports, especially readymade garments and pharmaceuticals to the Russian market. The Russian side welcomed the proposal to host a business delegation from Bangladesh soon.
The cooperation in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), was prominently discussed. Dr. Khalilur proposed a delegation on AI application in agriculture and health to visit Bangladesh, to which the Russian authorities agreed. The Russian side also expressed interest in helping Bangladesh prepare its national AI policy and establish institutions of excellence in AI.
During the meeting in Moscow, both Foreign Ministers discussed the wider engagement and cooperation in regional and international forums, including the United Nations. They recalled their friendship spanning four decades since their representation at the UN and looked forward to the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2027. Sergey Lavrov congratulated Dr. Khalilur on his election as President of the 81st Session of the UNGA, while Dr. Khalilur thanked Russia for its support.
The Foreign Ministers also reviewed bilateral cooperation in sectors such as industry, power and energy, agriculture, research and technology, culture, education, tourism, transport, and defense. Dr. Khalilur sought Russian support for Bangladesh’s official membership in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), receiving a positive response from Lavrov.
Thanking Russia for the fuel loading of the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Dr. Khalilur requested support for expediting the commissioning of the second unit. The ministers discussed recruiting more manpower from Bangladesh for safe and secure jobs and stressed the need for concluding pending agreements, including a readmission agreement and a human resource agreement.
Dr. Khalilur also requested the safe repatriation of Bangladeshis stranded in Russia, with Lavrov assuring full consideration. Both ministers discussed the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingya people from Bangladesh, with Russia willing to assist in finding a resolution. The meeting concluded with Dr. Khalilur inviting Lavrov to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time. Dr. Khalilur, accompanied by Humaiun Kobir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs, is on a three-day official visit to Russia.