The process of importing wheat from Russia at the government level is almost finalised. Initially, Bangladesh will buy three and a half lakh tons of wheat from that country. The agreement will be finalized in the next few days.
Kamrul Ahsan, Ambassador of Bangladesh from Moscow, gave this information to Prothom Alo on Wednesday evening.
Earlier in the afternoon, Alexander Mantitsky, the ambassador of Russia in Dhaka, in response to the questions of the journalists, said that there is a discussion with Bangladesh about the import of wheat and fertilizer from Russia at the official level. Initially, three and a half lakh tons of wheat and more than one lakh tons of potash fertilizer will be sent.
Asked about the food crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the Russian ambassador said, "We are concerned about the global food crisis." That is why Russia has taken initiative to keep the food supply from Ukraine normal. However, Russia is not responsible for the global economic crisis. Because Russia has not given any kind of economic sanctions. Europe and the United States have banned. So don't blame Russia for this crisis.
According to diplomatic sources, officials of the two countries discussed buying wheat and fertilizer from Russia yesterday in Moscow. Basically they discuss the price and process of the product. Officials from the Ministry of Food and Economic Relations Department were involved in the ambassador's meeting with Prodintorg, Russia's state agency for food grain exports, and the Russian Ministry of Food, in a virtual discussion. The Food Directorate and the Director General of Prodintorg will sign the agreement.
When asked, Ambassador Kamrul Ahsan said that there was a productive discussion with the officials of the Russian Ministry of Food on Wednesday regarding the purchase of wheat. Preparations are being made to sign the agreement in the next few days. Bangladesh will import wheat within 45 days from the opening of the letter of credit after signing the agreement. He said that in Wednesday's meeting with Russian officials, there was progress in the discussion on the import of fertilizers. Very soon the issue of importing more than one lakh tons of fertilizer is going to be finalised.
After the start of the Kremlin's operation in Ukraine last February 24, the import of goods from Russia is stopped. The United States has imposed various sanctions on Russia, including banking transactions. As a result, issues like opening of credit, guaranteeing shipment of goods were left hanging. In addition to this, due to the ban, there has been a deadlock over the type of transaction. Also, shipping in the Black Sea is still not safe. The US has recently lifted restrictions on Russian agricultural and food imports.
One of the sources of wheat import of Bangladesh was Russia and Ukraine. At least 25 percent of the country's total demand for wheat was imported from these two countries.
Meanwhile, in a round table meeting organized by the Russian Embassy yesterday afternoon, the Russian ambassador in Dhaka said in response to the questions of journalists that Russia has offered to buy crude oil as well as refined oil from Bangladesh. Discussions are going on between the two parties in this regard. The embassy organized the talks on the six-month anniversary of Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine.
The samples of diesel supplied by Russia for sale to Bangladesh contained sulfur many times higher than BSTI approved levels. Alexander Mantitsky, in response to this reporter's question after the round table discussion, whether Russia's diesel dirty fuel has been offered to Bangladesh at a low price, said that discussions are ongoing between the two countries regarding the sale of fuel oil. But till the matter is finalised, it would not be appropriate to comment on it.
When asked about the transactions in the two countries' own currencies in terms of trade and commerce, the Russian ambassador said that the central bank officials of the two countries are discussing financial transactions. They will decide on this.
When asked whether the Russian energy company Gazprom has any plans to explore for oil and gas in Bangladesh's maritime boundaries, he said that the decision has to be taken by Bangladesh.
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