Russia on Tuesday (March 11) sought the cooperation of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to ensure continuity in the work of state-owned Russian company Gazprom International in gas exploration.

The Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Alexander G. Khozin, placed the request when he called on the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Gazprom has been present in Bangladesh since 2012 and has worked as a partner in exploring gas reserves.

In 2023, Gazprom International identified five new wells for further exploration in Bhola.

The Chief Adviser thanked Gazprom for the necessary preparations for drilling five wells in Bhola and informed that the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources was working on the issue and open to further cooperation in this regard.

The ambassador discussed various issues during the meeting, including general and trade cooperation.

In 2024, the supply of Russian wheat to Bangladesh reached an all-time high, making the country the second-largest consumer of Russian grain after Egypt.

From July 2024 to January 2025, 2.3 million tonnes of Russian wheat reached Bangladesh, including 623 thousand tonnes through G2G contracts.

The ambassador informed that Russia is also preparing to supply 30,000 tonnes of MOP fertiliser to Bangladesh as a gesture of friendship.

He also informed the Chief Adviser of a significant rise in the number of visas issued to Bangladeshis who discovered Russia as a new job destination in the fields of agriculture and shipbuilding.

The number of visas issued in January- March 2025 rose fourfold compared to the number of visas issued during the corresponding period of last year.

The Chief Adviser thanked Russia for being with Bangladesh during the critical time of the post-liberation war.

BDST: 1750 HRS, March 12, 2025
MUM/MSK