Russia offers cheaper urea fertiliser, food supplies to deepen trade with Bangladesh
Moscow has proposed supplying urea fertiliser at $10 less per tonne than Bangladesh's current import price and expressed interest in expanding bilateral trade in essential commodities.
Highlights
- Russia offers urea $10 per tonne cheaper
- Talks focus on food security and fertiliser supplies
- Bangladesh seeks steady wheat and MOP imports
- Moscow eyes expanded government-to-government trade
- Both sides pledge stronger economic partnership
Russia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening trade and food security cooperation with Bangladesh, offering to supply urea fertiliser at a lower price while proposing broader government-to-government (G2G) trade in essential commodities.
The proposals were discussed during a meeting between Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir and a Russian delegation led by Chargé d'Affaires Vyacheslav Sentyurin at the Secretariat today (28 July).
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Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.
The two sides reviewed the longstanding bilateral relationship, with discussions focusing on food security, agricultural cooperation, fertiliser supplies and expanding G2G trade.
The minister thanked Russia for ensuring regular supplies of wheat and muriate of potash (MOP) fertiliser to Bangladesh.
"Russia is a trusted friend of Bangladesh," he said, expressing optimism that bilateral trade and economic cooperation would continue to expand.
During the meeting, the Russian delegation said state-owned company JSC FEC Prodintorg is interested in supplying around 280,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser to the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) under a G2G arrangement.
According to the delegation, Russia has offered to supply urea at $10 per tonne less than the price Bangladesh currently pays other exporting countries.
If accepted, the proposal is expected to help reduce fertiliser import costs while ensuring a stable supply, the delegation said.
The meeting also reviewed the existing memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) and JSC FEC Prodintorg for the supply of essential commodities.
Russia expressed interest in exporting sunflower oil, yellow peas, chickpeas, red lentils and green lentils to Bangladesh, reaffirming its willingness to support the country's food security and market stability.
Welcoming Moscow's proposals, Muqtadir said Bangladesh is keen to strengthen bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit.
Both sides agreed to maintain regular engagement to further deepen trade, investment and broader economic ties between the two countries.
