Russian team arrives tomorrow

A deal is likely to be signed in the next few days between the Bangladesh and Russian governments for long-term energy cooperation, reports UNB. Official sources said a high-powered delegation from Russia will arrive in the city tomorrow (Tuesday) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is set to be signed between the two nations. A vice-president of Russia's largest gas company, state-owned Gazprom, will lead the Moscow delegation. Under the MoU, Gazprom will work with Bangladesh's state-owned Petrobangla for development of the energy sector. A senior official at the Energy Ministry said the MoU will cover some joint venture exploration works at different onshore gas blocks. "Supply of two gas compressors by Gazprom to Petrobangla is also part of the proposed deal," said the official. He also informed that a 5-member Russian technical expert team was scheduled to arrive in Dhaka Sunday night to finalise the agenda of the high-powered team's visit. Ahead of the Russian delegation visit, the Energy Ministry convened a high level meeting Sunday attended by senior officials including the Petrobangla chairman.