Bangladesh could begin receiving electricity from its maiden nuclear power plant early next year, says Russia's ambassador, setting a milestone in one of the country's most ambitious infrastructure projects.
The upcoming commencement of nuclear power feeding into the national grid also manifests the deepening of Moscow's longstanding energy and economic ties with Bangladesh.
Speaking at a press briefing Monday, Alexander Khozin, the Russian Ambassador in Dhaka, said preparations were under way to deliver the first megawatts of electricity from the Russian-built Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant into Bangladesh's national grid.
"This will be an important milestone in the implementation of the project and will confirm its readiness for full-scale operation," Khozin said. "We are making all necessary efforts and systematic progress towards commissioning of the facility."
According to the envoy, work is currently focused on Unit No 1 of the Rooppur plant, which he says has reached the final stage of readiness.
The 2400MW Rooppur project, Bangladesh's first nuclear power facility, has long been seen as central to the country's efforts to diversify its energy mix and reduce pressure on gas-fired power generation amid rising demand from a fast-growing economy.
Khozin also addresses recent changes to the project's financing arrangements, confirming that Bangladesh and Russia agreed to reschedule the repayment timeline of the main loan. Under the amended protocol to the Intergovernmental Credit Agreement, the start of debt repayment has been deferred by 18 months.
"The first installment of the loan repayment is now scheduled for September 15, 2028," he said, adding that the adjustment reflected the extension of the overall credit agreement.
Beyond nuclear energy, the ambassador highlights gas production as another key pillar of bilateral cooperation. Since 2012, Russia's Gazprom International has designed and drilled around 20 gas wells in Bangladesh, including seven on the Bhola island, where significant gas reserves have been discovered.
Russia is also in talks to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil to Bangladesh on a long-term basis, the envoy said, as the country grapples with persistent energy shortages affecting both industrial growth and household consumption.
In addition, Russian companies working in renewable energy have expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh and establishing joint ventures, Mr Khozin told reporters, citing solar technologies as one area of potential collaboration.
Trade relations between the two countries, the ambassador notes, have remained resilient despite global economic disruptions. Bangladesh is Russia's second-largest trading partner in South Asia, with bilateral trade exceeding $2.0 billion annually over the past three years.
Russia primarily exports machinery, agricultural products and fertilisers to Bangladesh, while importing readymade garments and textile goods. Mr Khozin said Moscow hoped trade figures for 2025 would also be "significant", pending official statistics.
Food security has been another area of sustained cooperation. He mentions that Russia has exported 2.0 million tonnes of wheat to Bangladesh in 2025 and doubled supplies of fertilisers and mustard seeds compared with previous years. Nearly 400,000 tonnes of potash fertiliser were delivered this year alone, while exports of Russian veterinary vaccines rose by 25 per cent.
The ambassador also urges greater emphasis on business-to-business engagement, noting that growing Russian interest in supplying petrochemicals, steel, rolled metal, and ICT products and services. He encourages Bangladeshi companies to explore opportunities on the Russian market.
On the issue of labour migration, Mr Khozin said demand for skilled Bangladeshi workers was increasing in Russia, particularly in construction, agriculture and shipbuilding. In 2024, nearly 2,800 work permits were granted to Bangladeshi nationals, compared with just 115 the previous year. The first group of Bangladeshi workers arrived in Russia's Far East in 2023.
Turning to the red-hot issue of Ukraine war, the diplomat reiterates Moscow's long-stated position that it is open to a negotiated settlement, provided the "root causes" of the conflict are addressed. These, he says, include Ukraine's neutrality, the protection of Russian-speaking populations, and the cessation of Nato expansion.
He mentions that Russia is engaged in talks with the US leadership aimed at developing a long-term political solution and prepared to consider "credible proposals" leading to legally-binding agreements.
Cultural ties were also highlighted at the briefing. Alexandra Khlevnoy, director of the Russian House in Dhaka, said 2025 had seen numerous events marking Russian and Bangladeshi national holidays as well as the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
She notes a growing interest among Bangladeshi students in pursuing higher education in Russia, underlining people-to-people links alongside expanding strategic cooperation.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com