Chief Adviser urges Gazprom to conduct more exploration activities in Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged the Russian energy giant Gazprom to conduct more offshore and onshore exploration activities in Bangladesh.

Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexei Overchuk met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Conference in the Chinese resort town of Boao in Hainan province on Thursday.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest, including the operation of the Russian-funded Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Bangladesh's plan to import wheat and fertiliser from Russia and Gazprom's gas exploration work in Bangladesh.

Prof Yunus said financial issues over the Rooppur power plant have been sorted out, with Bangladesh repaying the money in an account in Dhaka.

He said the Rooppur power plant is expected to start generating power on a trial basis by the end of this year.

The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh would import more wheat and fertiliser from Russia. 

Alexei Overchuk stressed increasing people-to-people contacts between the two countries, saying Russia would like to see more Bangladeshi students to study in the country.

Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, Energy and Transport Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan and High Representative to the Chief Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman were also present during the meeting.