Dhaka: Russia has sought the cooperation of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to continue the work of Russian state-owned Gazprom International in gas exploration in Bangladesh. Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander G. Khozin made the request during a meeting with the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna, as reported by Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Gazprom has been active in Bangladesh since 2012, partnering in the exploration of gas reserves. This collaboration witnessed a significant milestone in 2023 when Gazprom International discovered five new wells for further exploration in Bhola. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus expressed gratitude towards Gazprom for their necessary preparations for drilling the five wells and noted that the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources is actively working on the issue.
The meeting between the Chief Adviser and the Russian envoy also covered topics of general and trade cooperation, as mentioned by Abul Kalam Azad. An additional highlight was the supply of Russian wheat to Bangladesh, which reached an unprecedented level in 2024, establishing Bangladesh as the second-largest consumer of Russian grain after Egypt. From July 2024 to January 2025, approximately 2.3 million tonnes of Russian wheat were delivered to Bangladesh, including 623,000 tonnes through government-to-government contracts.
Further strengthening bilateral ties, the ambassador conveyed Russia’s plans to supply 30,000 tonnes of MOP fertilizer to Bangladesh as a gesture of goodwill. He also announced a significant increase in the issuance of visas to Bangladeshis, who are increasingly seeking employment in Russia’s agriculture and shipbuilding sectors. The number of visas issued during January-March 2025 quadrupled compared to the same period last year.
In response, the Chief Adviser thanked Russia for its support during Bangladesh’s critical post-liberation war period, underscoring the deep-rooted relationship between the two nations.