In a new development, Russia has joined the list of countries where Bangladesh can send skilled manpower.
“In June, the first batch of Bangladeshi specialists left for Russia to work in shipbuilding and construction industries in the Primorye Territory in the Russian Far East. We are ready to employ more Bangladeshi workers for construction, agriculture, hospitality sectors, etc,” Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy said on Thursday.
This announcement is a new addition to Russia's enhanced engagement with Bangladesh amid strained relations with the United States over the upcoming general elections for which Washington announced visa policy for Dhaka.
The US and Russia relations have sunk to the lowest levels since the Cold War over the Ukraine issue.
Russia called the US's steps in Bangladesh’s internal matter “interference.”
Moscow also accused that at the end of October, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas met with a member of the local opposition to discuss plans for organizing anti-government rallies, a claim rejected by Washington.
“Skilled manpower from Bangladesh is in demand in many countries, and Russia has joined this list,” the ambassador said at the “Talks with Ambassador” program of the Swadhinata Sangbadik Forum at the National Press Club.
The ambassador touched upon some pressing issues, such as Gaza, the Ukrainian crisis and the situation in the Indo-Pacific region.
He, however, said that this process should fully comply with national legislation, which requires certain agreements to be signed.
For example, the bilateral Intergovernmental Agreement on Readmission and its Implementing Protocol has been under consideration by the Bangladeshi side since 2011, he said.
Bangladesh and Russia have enjoyed historical relations since Soviet times due to their support in the 1971 liberation war. A Russian Navy squadron from its Pacific Fleet visited Bangladesh in November for the first time in 50 years on a friendly visit.
“It's a friendly call. It's a big milestone,” the ambassador said.
However, he replied to a question by saying Russia does not recognize any unilateral sanctions by the US.
“We recognize UN Security Council sanctions,” he said, adding that they were ready to discuss if Bangladesh faces any problem anytime.
He appreciated Bangladesh’s foreign policy of “friendship to all and malice to none” and said Bangladesh should continue this policy.
5th Intergovernmental Commission talk
The full potential of trade and investment cooperation is yet to be fully tapped, the ambassador said.
“Bangladesh is famous for its RMG sector. Today, a large percentage of clothes sold even in the most high-end stores are labelled ‘Made in Bangladesh’. But it used to reach the Russian market in rather small quantities.
“Now the situation is changing: from 2022, many international brands have decided to leave Russia. So, Russian business circles are reorienting towards new suppliers, including those from Bangladesh. Investments, both state and private, can amount to billions of dollars
“Russian companies are ready to participate in various joint projects in Bangladesh, in such spheres as ICT, pharmaceuticals, space and geological research, maritime, railway and air transport,” he said.
The ambassador added: “All these topics are planned to be discussed at the 5th meeting of the Russia-Bangladesh Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which we plan to hold in 2024 in the face-to-face format.”
New areas of potential cooperation
In 2022, Russian JSC “Glavkosmos” and Bangladesh Satellite Company Ltd signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of promotion of products and services of the Russian space industry in Bangladesh, including the manufacturing and launch of the Bangabandhu-2 Earth observation satellite system.
The project's technical parameters have been finalized. The commercial offer for the same is on the table, the ambassador said.
Bangladesh also signed a letter of intent agreement with France on the satellite issue. Replying to a question, the ambassador said it was up to the government to decide on which offer they would take.
He said Gazprom International is also working on new orders for designing and drilling wells in prospective gas fields in Bangladesh.
There are more offers and projects in the pipeline, such as supplies of Russian crude oil for further local refining, export of LNG, upgrade of local power stations, renewable energy technologies, and more.
“I would like to add that the Russian State Company Rosatom plans to take part in the construction of a research reactor in Bangladesh, which would cater to many needs of this growing economy, from medicine to agriculture,” he said.
Gaza situation
What is happening in and around the Gaza Strip is a dire situation, the ambassador said, adding that the stances of Russia and Bangladesh on this issue are “similar”.
He called it “double standards” of Western countries over the Israeli “genocide” in Gaza.
“No reaction – thousands of children and women have been killed, and schools, hospitals and residential areas have been destroyed. Where is the solidarity of Western countries with Palestine?”
Dhaka Union of Journalists Joint Secretary Khairul Alam chaired the event moderated by Bangla Tribune Diplomatic Correspondent Sheikh Shahariar Zaman.