Online Desk  :   Russia has expressed its interest in maintaining its collaboration with Bangladesh in gas exploration through Gazprom International, the state-owned Russian energy giant.  During a meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander G. Khozin formally requested Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to support the continuation of Gazprom’s operations in the country, according to Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Gazprom has been active in Bangladesh since 2012, working as a strategic partner in gas reserve exploration. In 2023, the company identified five new wells in Bhola for further development. Chief Adviser Yunus acknowledged Gazprom’s contributions and assured that the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources is overseeing the project’s progress.

Beyond energy cooperation, the two sides also discussed trade and economic ties. The Russian envoy highlighted that Bangladesh’s wheat imports from Russia hit a record high in 2024, positioning the country as the second-largest consumer of Russian grain after Egypt. Between July 2024 and January 2025, Bangladesh imported approximately 2.3 million tonnes of Russian wheat, with 623,000 tonnes arriving through government-to-government agreements. Additionally, Russia is preparing to supply 30,000 tonnes of MOP fertilizer to Bangladesh as a gesture of goodwill. The ambassador also noted a sharp increase in the number of visas issued to Bangladeshi workers seeking employment in Russia’s agriculture and shipbuilding sectors. Visa issuance between January and March 2025 quadrupled compared to the same period the previous year.  Chief Adviser Yunus expressed gratitude for Russia’s continued partnership and acknowledged its support during Bangladesh’s early post-independence years.