Dhaka sees Moscow as potential partner for N-power generation

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Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, now in Moscow, has said Russia could be a potential partner for nuclear power generation to meet Bangladesh's growing energy need, reports UNB.
"As mandated by the Council of Advisers, I've raised the subject at political level in Moscow as Russia could indeed be a potential partner," he said when he met Russian Deputy Minister for Energy and Industry Ivan Materov in Moscow Wednesday, according to a message received in the city.
They discussed the possibilities of energy cooperation between the two countries, as Russia, China, India, South Korea and Pakistan are increasingly relying on this source.
Iftekhar said the danger of proliferation is not an issue as Bangladesh's credentials in this respect are "impeccable" and "we're signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban-Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) and other International Safeguard Agreements. Also, on this issue, we're in touch with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," he added.
"We've been preparing Rooppur for this since pre-Bangladesh days; indeed a nuclear plant in Rooppur was a demand that dates back to those times," Iftekhar said.
He said the technology is complex and Bangladesh should probably have a national debate before any final decision.
"If we opt for it, the time to make initial contracts with partners is now," Iftekhar added.
The foreign adviser also welcomed Russian investment in conventional energy sector.